Exhibition showcasing Scottish rock art to open

‘Carving Out Connections: Scotland’s Rock Art’ draws on the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) archives, looking to trace its connections through time and place.

Rock art is one of the most fascinating and mysterious aspects of Scotland’s past. Rock art refers to images, symbols, and marks that have been painted or engraved onto natural rock surfaces. People have been creating rock art across the world for thousands of years. It can be found deep within caves, in rock shelters, and on outcrops and boulders in the open landscape.

Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“Pre-historic Rock Art is one of Scotland's greatest mysteries. Carvings are thought to have been created up to 6,000 years ago, with pieces discovered every year - almost a thousand have been recorded in the last decade alone - and it is likely that many further carvings have yet to be found.

"After a successful run at Fort George, we look forward to bringing this exhibition to Aberdour so that even more people can discover the beauty and mystery of Scotland’s rock art.

‘Carving out Connections: Scotland’s Rock Art’ is open at Aberdour Castle on selected dates from Saturday 5 October 2024 to Wednesday 8 January 2025.

Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to Aberdour Castle. Tickets can be booked online in advance and entry is free for Historic Scotland members.

The exhibition is only accessible via a staircase.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

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