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Fowlis Wester

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. This cross – the larger of the two – is the original of the copy which stands in the square outside. The smaller cross was found in the wall of the church during restoration in 1927, which stands against the wall behind this cross.

This cross slab is over 3m tall, and is a Class II stone – that is to say it features a cross on the front, and Pictish symbols on the back. It is unusual in that the side arms of the cross extend beyond the edges of the slab.

It has suffered weathering as a result of standing in the village, where it is said it was erected after being brought from its original position at the mouth of the Sma’ Glen. It was moved into the church in August 1991 and replaced with a replica.

There are traces of carved birds and beasts at the foot of the shaft. The rear of the stone is much more interesting, as it is covered in Pictish symbols, animals and figures. A double-disc and Z-rod at the top – a common symbol on Pictish stones – may represent a Pictish king, as may a crescent and V-rod symbol towards the bottom.

There are depictions of horsemen – one with a hawk – and man in a long tunic leading a cow with a bell round its neck.

Following the cow are six more bearded figures, two of whom may be carrying shields or perhaps buckets.

Elizabeth Sutherland suggested that this could represent the worship of the Golden Calf, or perhaps a local festival now forgotten. Further down still are a crescent and V-rod – another probable personal symbol – and a bird, possibly an eagle. Right at the bottom is a man apparently being eaten by a monster of some description.

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Alternative names for Fowlis Wester

Cross of Foulis; Cross Of Fowlis; Fowlis Wester Church

Where is Fowlis Wester?

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

Grid reference: NN 9278 2404

Lat / long: 56.396457, -3.738548

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Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Fowlis Wester

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


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Directions to Fowlis Wester

Enter a starting point

Weather at Fowlis Wester

11°C
max 11°C / min 11°C
13km/h E
1019mb
69%
12%
03:49 20:34

Few clouds
Weather observed at Crieff at 18:39

References (books)

The Pictish Guide
Elizabeth Sutherland
Edinburgh, 1997

References (websites)

Canmore

Pictish stones near Fowlis Wester

Fowlis Wester Church Class III 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

14.2km away

Tulloch Class I symbol stone

16.1km away

Dunkeld 1 Class I symbol stone

20.4km away

Pittensorn Class III slab

21.8km away

Murthly 2 Class II cross slab

22.4km away

Murthly 1 Class III stone

22.5km away
more Pictish stones....

Pictish sites near Fowlis Wester

Norrie's Law hoard

50.8km away

Haddington silver chain

77.0km away

Borland silver chain

78.9km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

79.1km away

Traprain Law silver chain

81.5km away

Whitlaw silver chain

94.7km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

104.7km away

Hoardweel silver chain

106.6km away

Dunnicaer fort

113.4km away
more Pictish sites....

Pictish placenames near Fowlis Wester

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

26.0km away

Pitlowie

26.6km away

Pitfour

27.3km away
more Pictish placenames....
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Ancient sites near Fowlis Wester

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

1.0km 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

6.0km away

Saddlin' Mare standing stone

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

Castleton (site of)

1.1km away

Abercairny (site of)

2.6km away

Inchbrakie Castle (site of)

3.4km away

Gorthy (site of)

3.5km away

Cultoquhey (site of)

3.6km away

Dollerie

4.0km away

Tom-nam-brach (site of)

4.7km away

Williamston

4.8km away

Dallick House (possible) (site of)

5.0km away
more castles....
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Accommodation near Fowlis Wester

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
6.4km away
Merlindale
bed and breakfastCrieff
6.7km away
Knock Castle Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barCrieff
6.9km away
James Cottage Guest House
hotelCrieff
7.3km away
Glendevon Hotel
hotelAuchterarder
11.5km away

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Cafés, restaurants & bars near Fowlis Wester

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
14.7km away
Torlum Café, Auchingarrich
caféComrie
14.7km 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
19.2km 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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Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 4:49 pm. Updated on the 28th of February 2020 at 8:52 am.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

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