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Fowlis Wester Church

In St Bean‘s church at Fowlis Wester, parts of which date to the 13th century, are two Pictish cross slabs, and fragments of other stones. The larger cross is the original of the copy which stands in the square outside, but this cross was found in the wall of the church during restoration in 1927.

It was uncovered when the harling was stripped off the north wall of the church. The back of the slab was what had been covered, so the carving had been protected by facing into the wall, and as such it is much sharper than the cross which stood outside.

Around the main ringed cross are several interesting carvings. At the top of the slab, either side of the cross, are two carvings of what has been interpreted as the whale which swallowed Jonah. On the left it is perhaps shown with his sword and shield, while on the left it is either swallowing or perhaps regurgitating him.

Below this are two seated clerical-looking figures who have been identified as St Paul and St Anthony. St Paul’s symbol was the date palm which fed him while in the wilderness, and carved beside him is what looks like a fruit-covered tree. St Anthony was encouraged by an angel to visit Paul, and this may be represented by the smaller figure carved above him on the slab.

Below Paul are two further clerical figures, but below Anthony the carving is hard to make out. The stone has obviously flaked away before carving, as the carving attempts to follow the line of the stone, but it seems that the carver gave up, and the stone may have been discarded because of this flaking.

At the time of the restoration of the church, two fragments of further cross slabs were also found being used as beam-filling. They appear to be from two separate Class III cross slabs.

Also in the walls, particularly at the SW of the church, several other large stones were noticed but weren’t removed. It has been speculated that these could also feature carvings on their other faces.

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Alternative names for Fowlis Wester Church

Fowlis Wester Parish Church

Where is Fowlis Wester Church?

Fowlis Wester Church is in the parish of Fowlis Wester and the county of Perthshire.

Grid reference: NN 9281 2408

Lat / long: 56.396823, -3.738078

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OS Map for Fowlis Wester Church

OS map OL47
Crieff, Comrie & Glen Artney (Strathearn & Auchterarder)
OS Explorer map OL47


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Directions to Fowlis Wester Church

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Weather at Fowlis Wester Church

18°C
max 19°C / min 18°C
24km/h SW
1016mb
78%
54%
03:25 21:04

Light rain
Weather observed at Crieff at 16:50

References (books)

The Pictish Guide
Elizabeth Sutherland
Edinburgh, 1997

References (websites)

Canmore

Pictish stones near Fowlis Wester Church

Fowlis Wester Class II cross-slab

0.0km away

Bore Stone of Gask Class II cross slab

7.4km away

Dupplin Cross Class III cross

13.3km away

Blackford Class I symbol stone

14.3km away

Tulloch Class I symbol stone

16.0km away

Dunkeld 1 Class I symbol stone

20.4km away

Pittensorn Class III slab

21.7km away

Murthly 2 Class II cross slab

22.4km away

Murthly 1 Class III stone

22.4km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Fowlis Wester Church

Norrie's Law hoard

50.7km away

Haddington silver chain

77.0km away

Borland silver chain

79.0km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

79.2km away

Traprain Law silver chain

81.5km away

Whitlaw silver chain

94.7km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

104.8km away

Hoardweel silver chain

106.6km away

Dunnicaer fort

113.3km away
more Pictish sites....

Pictish placenames near Fowlis Wester Church

Abercairny

2.3km away

Aberlednock

15.5km away

Aberdalgie

15.6km away

Aberuchill

18.5km away

Aberargie

24.8km away

Pitilie

25.2km away

Aberfeldy

25.9km away

Pitlowie

26.5km away

Pitfour

27.2km away
more Pictish placenames....

Ancient sites near Fowlis Wester Church

Crofthead Farm standing stones

0.7km away

The Thorn rock art

0.7km away

New Fowlis cairn and standing stones

0.8km away

Fowlis Wester stone circle, cairns, standing stones and rock art

0.9km away

Monzie kerb cairn and rock art

4.6km away

Witches' Stone standing stone

4.8km away

Ferntower stone circle

5.5km away

Giant's Grave cairn

5.9km away

Saddlin' Mare standing stone

6.0km away
more ancient sites....
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Castles near Fowlis Wester Church

Castleton (site of)

1.1km away

Abercairny (site of)

2.6km away

Inchbrakie Castle (site of)

3.4km away

Gorthy (site of)

3.4km away

Cultoquhey (site of)

3.6km away

Dollerie

4.0km away

Tom-nam-brach (site of)

4.6km away

Williamston

4.8km away

Dallick House (possible) (site of)

4.9km away
more castles....
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Accommodation near Fowlis Wester Church

At The Willows
bed and breakfastNew Fowlis
1.0km away
The Rowans
bed and breakfastNew Fowlis
1.0km away
Murraypark Hotel
hotelCrieff
6.1km away
Galvelbeg House
bed and breakfast, self-catering apartmentCrieff
6.3km away
Crieff Hydro Hotel and Leisure Resort
hotel, restaurantCrieff
6.4km away
Crieff Hydro self-catering cottages and chalets
self-catering cottagesCrieff
6.5km away
Merlindale
bed and breakfastCrieff
6.8km away
Knock Castle Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barCrieff
6.9km away
James Cottage Guest House
hotelCrieff
7.4km away
Glendevon Hotel
hotelAuchterarder
11.5km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Fowlis Wester Church

Crieff Hydro Hotel and Leisure Resort
hotel, restaurantCrieff
6.4km away
Knock Castle Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barCrieff
6.9km away
Famous Grouse Experience
restaurant, café, barCrieff
7.2km away
Huntingtower Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barAlmondbank
14.6km away
Torlum Café, Auchingarrich
caféComrie
14.8km away
Holiday Inn Express Perth
hotel, barPerth
17.0km away
Best Western Queens Hotel & Leisure Club
hotel, restaurant, barPerth
18.5km away
Breizh
restaurant, caféPerth
19.1km away
An Lochan Tormaukin
hotel, bar, restaurantGleneagles
20.6km away
Atholl Arms Hotel, Dunkeld
hotel, bar, restaurantDunkeld
21.0km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 4:49 pm. Updated on the 26th of January 2014 at 7:06 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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