St Serf's Church & Dupplin Cross, Dunning (Perthshire)
Picturesque parish church
Introduction
Well worth a visit in it's own right, this picturesque parish church houses the nineth century Dupplin Cross, a masterpiece of Pictish stonework.
History to the present day
The Dupplin Cross is one of a few complete, free-standing early medieval crosses that survive in Scotland. It is carved from a single block of red sandstone. The Dupplin Cross formerly stood in the grounds of Dupplin Castle overlooking the ancient Pictish royal centre of Forteviot.
The cross dates from the 9th century, the time of the Picto-Scottish kingdom of Kenneth Mac Alpin. It is carved on four sides with images depicting military and religious ideas of kingship. The cross is unique in that it mentions a named king (King Constantine). This provides the only depiction of a named king in early medieval Scotland.
The design of the cross represents the artistic traditions of the different people of Scotland who were being brought together during this period. It includes a rare inscription on the rear with the longest Roman alphabet inscription known from early medieval Scotland.
The cross was inserted into a rectangular stone plinth on which is cut an Irish/Scottish Ogham inscription. Ogham is a primitive early-medieval alphabet.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: St Serf's Church & Dupplin Cross, Dunning, Perthshire, , United Kingdom
Opening times: Open Summer only (April - September), seven days a week.
Admission prices: Admission is free of charge. Donations are welcome.
Directions: St Serf's Church is located in Dunning Village on the B9141 from the A9.
Public Transport: From Perth Bus Station at Leonard Street, take Stagecoach Perth bus no 17 to Dunning Village (38 mins). Walk to St Serf's church and Dupplin Cross.
