Hundreds of Pictish symbol-stones are found throughout Scotland, and there are many guide-books available. While many stones are free to be viewed by the public, others are on private land, or have been removed to museums. Some of the best are in:
| Aberlemno Churchyard | McManus Galleries |
| Dunrobin Castle Museum | Meffan Museum |
| Elgin Museum | Meigle Museum and |
| Groam House Museum | Meigle Primary School |
| Inverness Museum | Tankerness Museum, Orkney |
| and Art Gallery | Perth Museum & Art Gallery |
| Marischal Museum | Woodhill House |
The best collection of Pictish artefacts is held by the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.
The town of Burghhead, Moray, contains the ruins of a great Pictish fort, and also hosts the ‘Burning of the Clavie’, a Hogmanay festival of Pictish origin, which takes place on the original Hogmanay night of 11 January.
Orkney also has a rich collection of Pictish and other ancient sites, including the Pictish settlement at the Brough of Birsay, Buckquoy and the Broch of Guerness.
Kilmartin House in Argyll, traces the 5,000-year history of the Kilmartin Valley, including the Dark Age capital of the Scots, Dunnadd. The famous Pictish boar and ogham inscription carved by Pictish conquerors are weathering badly, and may soon be lost forever.
Musical instruments from the Pictish era, such as the carnyx and Pictish triple-pipes, can be heard on The Kilmartin Sessions, an excellent CD available from Kilmartin House. More carnyx recordings are available from:
The Picts are not a popular subject for re-enactment, maybe because an accurate Pictish outfit does not meet the generally accepted minimum safety standards. However, there are many groups who recreate other Dark Age cultures, and one with an active Pictish contingent is:
Of wider interest is the Pictish Arts Society, a focus for study and discussion of all aspects of Pictish and early Scottish history. For further information contact:
Pictish Arts Society
27 George Square, Edinburgh
Scotland EH8 9LD
http://www.pictarts.demon.co.uk/index.htm
email: info@pictarts.demon.co.uk
In 1977 Brian Robertson (‘Robbie the Pict’) declared the Pictish Free State on Skye. The Pictish High Commission can be contacted by email to: robbiethepict@pictland.freeserve.co.uk
Every year on 20 May the members of the state celebrate Pictish independence on Dunnichen Day, holding a remembrance ceremony on Dunnichen Hill, near the town of Forfar, Angus.
The Eriskay Pony Society exists to promote and protect the ancient Pictish horse. For further details contact
Eriskay Pony Society
Hardiston House, Cleish, Kinross
Scotland KY137LP