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pictishartssociety.bsky.social
The Pictish Arts Society
@pictishartssociety.bsky.social
360 followers 87 following 69 posts
Founded in 1988 to affirm the importance of Pictish culture in Scotland's past. Monthly lectures through winter and spring. Annual conference in October. Newsletter 3-4 times/year. Join us: www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk. (Posts by fortrenn.bsky.social)
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Reposted by The Pictish Arts Society
hornesupremacy.bsky.social
⛏️🪨🤺 I love the parallels between the Govan Warrior and 'Burghead 8', a Pictish cross slab fragment from Burghead, Moray.

Note the pointed beards and long hair, circular shields with carrying straps, and prominent weapons.

📷 My photos at @govanstones.bsky.social and the National Museum of Scotland
September 4, 2026 at 4:11 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Have you got your tickets yet? Our online conference on 3-4 Oct will focus on the 'Pictishness' of Pictish art, with expert speakers on Pictish sculpture, symbols, metalwork, archaeology and representation in popular culture. Book now! #EarlyMedieval #MedievalSky
Conf | The PAS
www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk
September 2, 2026 at 7:34 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
We're delighted to be supporting this much-needed survey by @celticist.bsky.social, which will include the recording of at-risk sculpture at Culross and Abercorn within the Pictish ambit: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sculpted stone study could shed new light on lost kingdoms
Some artefacts are considered "at risk" as they are in, or near, churches earmarked for closure and sale.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2026 at 9:35 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
The full agenda is now up for our 2026 conference, held online from 3-4 October. Join us to learn about the Pictishness of Pictish art, as well as the latest archaeological research from Pictland. Plus: the inside track on the making of Carved in Stone, a stunning Pictland-set TTRPG. #MedievalSky
Conf | The PAS
www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk
August 7, 2026 at 8:10 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Exciting to see this panel in the works for next year's International Medieval Congress in Leeds. One to keep an eye on for anyone interested in the latest Pictish research. #MedievalSky
fergushs.bsky.social Fergus @fergushs.bsky.social · Aug 6
Coming out of the woodwork to announce a Pictish CfP for Leeds IMC this year! Any shares would be much appreciated :) Any Qs just drop me a message here or @ [email protected]
International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds, 5-8 July 2027 Pictish Pasts: New Approaches to Pictish Studies The past few decades have seen a renewed interest in the Picts, both in academic contexts and in popular media. This has precipitated re-evaluations of their symbols, a reframing of their geopolitical structures, and new insights into regnal succession practices. Such work, however, does not usually feature in broader medieval discussions, which often gloss over Scotland. As such, this session aims to firmly situate developments in Pictish studies in wider medieval discourse, focusing attention on Scotland and its contexts. We invite proposals for 15-20 minute papers on any aspect of Pictish studies. We particularly welcome proposals which speak to this year's theme of 'communities'. Topics may include: * Pictish symbols and symbol stones * The place of the Picts in Scottish nationhood * Pictish hagiography * Pictish monastic and scribal communities * Perspectives on the Picts outwith Pictland * The 'destruction' of the Picts * The historiography of Pictish studies * Using archaeology to understand Pictish history * Later medieval perspectives on the Picts * The Cruithin of Ireland Please send an abstract of no more than 250 words, alongside a short bio, to Fergus Holmes-Stanley (fergus.holmes-stanley@glasgow.ac.uk) by the 31st August 2026.
August 7, 2026 at 6:02 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Booking is now live for our annual online conference this October! Two days of expert papers on Pictish art and material culture, plus the latest archaeological research from Pictland. Tickets are £12.94 for members (inc. booking fee) and £16.17 for non-members. Hope to see some of you there!
Conf | The PAS
www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk
July 25, 2026 at 5:04 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Free to read online and featuring some excellent papers from leading academics - including a new interpretation of the St Andrews Sarcophagus by our President, Professor Jane Geddes. #MedievalSky
July 23, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by The Pictish Arts Society
archaeostef.bsky.social
This week, working with AOC Archaeology we completed the excavation of the base stone for Aberlemno 3.

The excavation has given us valuable new information & it might even be possible to begin to answer long-standing questions about whether the stone stands where it was first erected.
July 10, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Reposted by The Pictish Arts Society
davidstifter.bsky.social
It's the International Day of Ogham today. The (former) OG(H)AM project are happy to announce the recipients of this year's Certificate of Achievement for Ogham Excellence, the team behind the creation of "Carved in Stone. A Storyteller's Guide to Pictland".
More: carvedinstone.scot

#IntDayofOgham
July 8, 2026 at 5:39 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Unmissable lecture for anyone interested in Pictish art. Professor Heather Pulliam of the University of Edinburgh delivers this year's Groam House Museum Annual Academic Lecture on monsters in Pictish sculpture. Online this Thursday 25 June at 7.30pm, tickets £3 members/students and £6 non-members.
What lies beneath? Pictish Monsters and the Living Frame - Groam House Museum
Find out all about Pictish monsters in this talk by Heather Pulliam, Professor of Medieval Art at Edinburgh School of Art
groamhouse.org.uk
June 22, 2026 at 12:05 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
In Edinburgh on 25 June? We'd love to see you at the launch of Common Ground, the proceedings of a conference held in 2022 to honour the late Dr Anna Ritchie. Join us to celebrate Dr Ritchie and her work as archaeologist, author and lifelong advocate of Scotland’s premodern history and heritage.
Flyer for a book launch to be held on Thursday 25 June from 3.30pm to 5.45pm. The book is names Common Ground in Scottish Archaeology and represents the proceedings of a day conference held in 2022 to honour the career and achievements of Dr Anna Ritchie, who sadly recently passed away. The book is edited by Dr Kelly Kilpatrick and will be held at the University of Edinburgh, 50 George Square, Project Room 1.06. Attendance is free and all are welcome.
June 11, 2026 at 9:01 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Did the Pictish symbols originate as tattoos, as has often been proposed? In this recent conference paper, @glasgow.ac.uk PhD researcher David Osgarby presents a new analysis that suggests they did. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPJP...
David Osgarby: One Script Among Many: Carving Out the Sociolinguistic Niche of Pictish Symbols
YouTube video by Visual Interactions in Early Writing Systems
www.youtube.com
May 20, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by The Pictish Arts Society
archaeonado.bsky.social
Finally got to visit the gloriously weird Ardchattan Priory cross slab. 9-10th century, maybe? I don't so much see the supposed Norse influence, but certainly lots of bonkers Pictish ideas here deep in the heart of Dál Riata www.trove.scot/place/318536...
Ardchattan Priory early medieval cross slab in the carved stone shelter, Argyll, Scotland Detail of the Ardchattan Priory early medieval cross slab showing human figure holding a book, between two snarling beasts, their legs all becoming strands of interlace Detail of the fretwork patterns in the ring of the cross on the Ardchattan Priory early medieval cross slab Detail of the spiral-ornamented central roundel of the Ardchattan Priory early medieval cross slab's cross
May 13, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Reposted by The Pictish Arts Society
northages.bsky.social
New display room for Aberlemno Pictish stone to open this weekend www.anguscountyworld.co.uk/heritage-and...
New display room for Aberlemno Pictish stone to open this weekend
One of Angus’s newest archaeological treasures will go on display this weekend with the opening of a dedicated room in Aberlemno Village Hall.
www.anguscountyworld.co.uk
April 17, 2026 at 11:08 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
A fascinating new (open access) article by @justrena.bsky.social, looking an unusual group of Iron Age objects from central and northern Ireland whose decoration displays striking similarities with the Pictish symbols.
Different strokes: changing identities and connectivity between Iron Age Ireland and Northern Britain
Reader environment loaded
www.tandfonline.com
April 15, 2026 at 7:48 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
New episode of our Pictish Shorts podcast! Journalist and TV presenter Alistair Heather (Historic_Ally on Instagram) talks to @monikierockart.bsky.social about how he got into the Picts and what fascinates him about the Picts now. Plus a great choice for the lost Pictish artefact he'd love to find!
Pictish Shorts Episode 9 with TV presenter Alistair Heather.
YouTube video by The Scot-Craft Podcast
www.youtube.com
April 13, 2026 at 3:31 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
This Friday! Be among the first to hear the latest academic research into the Pictish symbols as a writing system. #MedievalSky
pictishartssociety.bsky.social The Pictish Arts Society @pictishartssociety.bsky.social · Apr 11
The final lecture in our current season is not to be missed! David Osgarby, PhD researcher at @glasgow.ac.uk, will share a new approach to understanding the Pictish symbols as a writing system. Lectures are for members only, but there's still time to join: www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us
Flyer for the Pictish Arts Society lecture on Friday 17 April 2026 at 7.30pm via Zoom. The title is ‘What can a writing systems approach bring to understanding Pictish symbols?’. The speaker is David Osgarby, PhD researcher, University of Glasgow. The abstract reads: 'Pictish Symbols exhibit many of the characteristic features of a writing system: there is a fixed inventory of symbols; these symbols repeat with varying frequencies; there is both stability and systematic change over time; and they occur in contexts where known writing systems are used in nearby contemporary traditions. Given that the evidence points towards Pictish Symbols as a writing system—expressing personal names in most preserved contexts—this presentation seeks to use the study of writing systems (grapholinguistics) to explore what could be said about the likely Pictish writing system.' The speaker bio reads: 'David Osgarby is a second year PhD Student at the University of Glasgow in the Department of Celtic & Gaelic supervised by Prof. Katherine Forsyth and Prof. Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh. His background is in linguistics and his research interests include documentary and descriptive linguistics, the comparative and theoretical study of writing systems, and decipherment methodologies.' The photograph is of David standing next to a Pictish Class I symbol stone from Aberlemno in Angus, with incised carvings of a 'horseshoe' and 'Pictish beast' symbols. A line at the bottom reads: 'Please note lectures are for PAS members only. To join the Society, please visit www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us.
April 13, 2026 at 7:43 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
The final lecture in our current season is not to be missed! David Osgarby, PhD researcher at @glasgow.ac.uk, will share a new approach to understanding the Pictish symbols as a writing system. Lectures are for members only, but there's still time to join: www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us
Flyer for the Pictish Arts Society lecture on Friday 17 April 2026 at 7.30pm via Zoom. The title is ‘What can a writing systems approach bring to understanding Pictish symbols?’. The speaker is David Osgarby, PhD researcher, University of Glasgow. The abstract reads: 'Pictish Symbols exhibit many of the characteristic features of a writing system: there is a fixed inventory of symbols; these symbols repeat with varying frequencies; there is both stability and systematic change over time; and they occur in contexts where known writing systems are used in nearby contemporary traditions. Given that the evidence points towards Pictish Symbols as a writing system—expressing personal names in most preserved contexts—this presentation seeks to use the study of writing systems (grapholinguistics) to explore what could be said about the likely Pictish writing system.' The speaker bio reads: 'David Osgarby is a second year PhD Student at the University of Glasgow in the Department of Celtic & Gaelic supervised by Prof. Katherine Forsyth and Prof. Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh. His background is in linguistics and his research interests include documentary and descriptive linguistics, the comparative and theoretical study of writing systems, and decipherment methodologies.' The photograph is of David standing next to a Pictish Class I symbol stone from Aberlemno in Angus, with incised carvings of a 'horseshoe' and 'Pictish beast' symbols. A line at the bottom reads: 'Please note lectures are for PAS members only. To join the Society, please visit www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us.
April 11, 2026 at 12:12 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Important new paper on the early development of Pictish symbol carving.
northernpicts.bsky.social NPicts @northernpicts.bsky.social · Jan 25
OPEN ACCESS - 'Stone and the gods: religious cognition and stone carving in first millennium AD northern Britain'. This World Archaeology article examines the origins of naturalistic stone carving in Northeast Scotland. Download, read, and share widely!
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Stone and the gods: religious cognition and stone carving in first millennium AD northern Britain
Archaeology often adheres to established periodisations, sometimes overlooking long-term societal transformations. One such shift in Northern Britain during the first millennium AD was the emergenc...
www.tandfonline.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:10 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
Next Friday! There's still time to join the Pictish Arts Society to hear this and the other three remaining lectures in our 2025-2026 season. Discover more benefits of PAS membership here: www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us
pictishartssociety.bsky.social The Pictish Arts Society @pictishartssociety.bsky.social · Jan 5
We've a great series of lectures coming up in the next few months - starting Friday 16 Jan with a lecture from Heather Ford of @glasgow.ac.uk on the Pictish re-use of prehistoric standing stones. Find out more at www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/lectures-202....
Flyer for the Pictish Arts Society lecture, taking place on Friday 16 January at 7.30pm via Zoom. The title is ‘Medium matters: the Pictish re-use of prehistoric standing stones’, and the speaker is Heather Ford, PhD researcher, University of Glasgow. The lecture abstract reads: 'The prehistoric standing stones and stone circles which furnish the Scottish landscape have borne witness to millennia, including both our time and the Picts'. The re-use of standing stones by later communities is evident, but the scale of it and the motivations underlying it are still nebulously understood. Heather Ford will present the criteria she has developed to identify cases of genuine re-use, as well as possible cases of perceived re-use in the corpus of early symbol stones and examine some notable cases of re-used prehistoric standing stones. Using this updated record of Pictish re-use, she will consider early symbol stones alongside their contemporaries elsewhere in Scotland, including undressed ogham pillars, Late Antique Latin monuments and early cross-marked stones, to understand the extent of the phenomenon and the Picts' place within it.' The accompanying photo is of Heather standing next to the Craw Stane at Rhynie, an undressed standing stone with Pictish symbols of a salmon and a 'Pictish beast' carved on it. A note reads: 'Please note lectures are for PAS members only. To join the Society, please visit www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us'.
January 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
A thrilling find from Norfolk - an Iron Age boar standard and a fabulous carnyx to rival the one found in the nineteenth century at Deskford, Moray, in proto-Pictland.
Thetford dig unearths Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard
The discoveries are
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:05 AM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
We've a great series of lectures coming up in the next few months - starting Friday 16 Jan with a lecture from Heather Ford of @glasgow.ac.uk on the Pictish re-use of prehistoric standing stones. Find out more at www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/lectures-202....
Flyer for the Pictish Arts Society lecture, taking place on Friday 16 January at 7.30pm via Zoom. The title is ‘Medium matters: the Pictish re-use of prehistoric standing stones’, and the speaker is Heather Ford, PhD researcher, University of Glasgow. The lecture abstract reads: 'The prehistoric standing stones and stone circles which furnish the Scottish landscape have borne witness to millennia, including both our time and the Picts'. The re-use of standing stones by later communities is evident, but the scale of it and the motivations underlying it are still nebulously understood. Heather Ford will present the criteria she has developed to identify cases of genuine re-use, as well as possible cases of perceived re-use in the corpus of early symbol stones and examine some notable cases of re-used prehistoric standing stones. Using this updated record of Pictish re-use, she will consider early symbol stones alongside their contemporaries elsewhere in Scotland, including undressed ogham pillars, Late Antique Latin monuments and early cross-marked stones, to understand the extent of the phenomenon and the Picts' place within it.' The accompanying photo is of Heather standing next to the Craw Stane at Rhynie, an undressed standing stone with Pictish symbols of a salmon and a 'Pictish beast' carved on it. A note reads: 'Please note lectures are for PAS members only. To join the Society, please visit www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us'.
January 5, 2026 at 9:13 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
New year, new mini-podcast interview, this time with archaeologist and Burghead dig veteran @danielmaclean.bsky.social. Some great insights from Dan on the majestic Nigg cross-slab, recent Pictish discoveries at Burghead and Birsay, and an overlooked sculpture fragment from Dores on Loch Ness.
Pictish Shorts Episode 5- With Daniel MacLean
YouTube video by The Scot-Craft Podcast
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:45 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
And one more! The very excellent @archaeonado.bsky.social talks to @monikierockart.bsky.social about his favourite Pictish stones and artefacts, and the one lost Pictish object he'd love to find (as would we all!)
Pictish Shorts Episode 4 with Adrian Maldonado
YouTube video by The Scot-Craft Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
pictishartssociety.bsky.social
The latest in our 'Pictish Shorts' mini-podcast series. Historian and art historian Victoria Thompson Whitworth tells us about her favourite Pictish stones, introduces us to her cat, Spot, and invites criticism of her theory that the Book of Kells was created at Portmahomack. #MedievalSky
Pictish Shorts episode 3 with Victoria Whitworth.
YouTube video by The Scot-Craft Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:57 AM