Maiden Stone
Site type: Class II cross-slab
Parish: Chapel of Garioch
County: Aberdeenshire
Grid reference: NJ 7037 2471
Lat / long: 57.3121095318236, -2.49309125325877
Alternative names: Chapel Of Garioch
The Maiden Stone stands an impressive 3.04m tall by 0.91m wide and 0.3m thick, and is intricately carved on all sides with Pictish symbols and interlaced knotwork patterns. The front is divided into 5 panels consisting of a cross, and the figure of a man between two "sea monsters".
On the rear of the red sandstone monument are a centaur-like figure with other less clear beasts, a notched rectangle and Z-rod symbol, a Pictish beast, and mirror and comb symbols. All are carved in relief, as is the front and sides.
The side panels feature interlaced knotwork. The stone is believed to have been produced in the second half of the 9th century AD, and may have been moved in the 19th century from an original position in the middle of the present road.
