Dupplin Cross facts for kids

The Dupplin Cross is a very old stone cross with amazing carvings. It's a special type of stone monument called a Pictish stone, made by the ancient Picts who lived in Scotland. This cross was carved around the year 800 AD, which means it's over 1200 years old!

It was first written about in 1769 by a man named Thomas Pennant. Back then, it stood on a hillside in a place called Strathearn, near the River Earn in Scotland. Today, the Dupplin Cross is carefully looked after by Historic Scotland. Since 2002, it has been kept safe inside the old tower of St Serf's Church in Dunning, Scotland. You can even visit it there from April to September!

What is a High Cross?

The Dupplin Cross is known as a high cross. This means it's a tall, free-standing stone cross, not attached to a building. While you can find many high crosses in places like Ireland and Northumbria (an old kingdom in northern England), they are quite rare in the lands where the Picts lived.

Many other ancient crosses in Scotland were unfortunately broken or destroyed a long time ago, especially during the 16th century Reformation. This makes the Dupplin Cross even more special because it survived!

What is the Dupplin Cross Made Of?

This incredible cross is carved from a type of rock called Old Red Sandstone. It stands about 2.5 metres tall, which is taller than most adults! The arms of the cross spread out about 1 metre wide.

The cross is covered with many different carvings. Some show religious scenes, while others show warriors or traditional Pictish animals. It's like a giant stone storybook!

A Clue from the Past: The Inscription

One of the most exciting things about the Dupplin Cross is a special message carved into it. This message is an ancient Latin inscription, but it's hard to read completely. However, one part is clear: CUSTANTIN FILIUS FIRCUS.

This name is believed to be the Latin way of writing the name of a powerful Pictish king from the early 9th century. His name was Caustantín, son of Fergus. He ruled from about 793 to 820 AD.

Because the inscription mentions King Caustantín, historians believe the cross was carved either during his rule or very soon after. This makes the Dupplin Cross incredibly important! It helps experts understand when other Pictish sculptures were made, giving them a fixed point in time. It also shows that people in Scotland were speaking Gaelic back then, as it uses the Gaelic name of the king's father.

Amazing Carvings

The Dupplin Cross is covered in detailed carvings that tell stories and show important figures.

• One carving shows a rider on a horse. This person has a very large head and a ponytail, which suggests they were an important leader or someone with authority.
• On another side, you can see a man fighting bears with his bare hands! This might be a hero from an ancient story.
• The sides of the cross also feature a man playing a harp. Many believe this carving represents King David from the Bible, who was known for playing the harp.
• You can also spot carvings of hunting dogs, showing how important hunting was in those times.

Images for kids

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  The Rider, Dupplin Cross