Sueno's Stone, Moray (Scotland)
The most remarkable sculptured monument in Britain.
Introduction
Sueno's Stone is the most remarkable sculptured monument in Britain, probably a cenotaph, standing over 20 feet high and dating to the end of the first millennium AD. The stone is now covered by a protective glass enclosure.
History to the present day
Evidence from Timothy Pont’s Mapp of Murray (c 1590), the more modern military maps of Roy and Ainslie (1750 and 1789 respectively) and Robert Campbell's map of 1790 all show Sueno’s Stone along with another stone that has now disappeared. The fact that Pont's map shows the standing stones at all indicates their size as Pont does not show any other obelisks anywhere. Ainslie has inscribed on his map ‘two curiously carved pillars’. The fact that these maps show the pillar(s) in their present (at least approximate) position belies the notion that it was found elsewhere and re-erected at its present location. Hector Boece (c 1465–1536) (not known entirely for his historical accuracy) mentions the stone and attributes it to Sueno. Lady Ann Campbell, the Countess of Moray, is noted in the early 1700’s as carrying out maintenance on the stone in an attempt to stabilise it. This was achieved by constructing stepped plinths around the base and these are what can be seen today. Archaeological excavations carried out in 1990 and 1991 suggest that it may originally have been one of two monumental stones.
Local legend says this was the crossroads where Macbeth originally met the three witches. In the legend, they were eventually imprisoned inside the stone - should the stone be broken they would be released. However this tale can date no further back than Shakespeare's play Macbeth.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: , Scotland, , United Kingdom
Sueno's Stone is located at the East end of Forres off the A96.
For access, please telephone 01667 460 232.
