Beta Help us improve: share your feedback on our new website.

View gallery

Inspect the stonework of a tall Pictish cross-slab, adorned with symbols, scenes and ornate decoration.

The Fowlis Wester Sculptured Stone is a fine example of a later Pictish cross-slab. It’s unique in that it has cross-arms physically projecting from the sides, giving the impression of being a free-standing cross.

Its reverse face is also noteworthy for a mysterious scene involving horsemen, beasts and a procession.

The stone can today be found in the local church, where it was moved in 1991 for conservation reasons. A replica of the stone can be found where it once stood, in Fowlis Wester village square.

Detailed view of a sculptured stone featuring a central figure on horseback, surrounded by other carved elements including animals and abstract patterns. The carvings are deeply incised into the stone, which has an uneven, aged surface. Lighting emphasizes the contours and shadows of the artwork.

Ready for an adventure?

Use a Membership or Explorer Pass to discover centuries of Scottish history and heritage, all while saving money and supporting our work.

Membership

Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters

Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events

Two adults, holding hands with two young children, walk through a graveyard, with historical stone ruins in the background. It is a sunny day.
  • Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
  • Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
  • Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
  • Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man

Explorer Pass

Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing

Valid for 14 consecutive days

A family walking across a grassy lawn with the New Abbey Corn Mill building in the background.
  • Valid for 14 consecutive days
  • Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
  • 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
  • Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online