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<< Our Photo Pages >> St. Vigeans Museum - Museum in Scotland in Angus

Submitted by jeffrep on Wednesday, 21 August 2019  Page Views: 17512

MuseumsSite Name: St. Vigeans Museum Alternative Name: St Vigeans Sculptured Stones, St Vigeans Pictish Stones, The Drosten Stone
Country: Scotland County: Angus Type: Museum

Map Ref: NO63834294  Landranger Map Number: 54
Latitude: 56.576995N  Longitude: 2.590342W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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LenGilbert hoya105 SumDoood would like to visit

jeffrep visited on 13th May 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5

MAIGO have visited here

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Top of Drosten Cross-slab (Vote or comment on this photo)
A fascinating and very important collection of Pictish carved stones housed in a cottage in the charming village of St Vigeans, Angus. In Historic Scotland’s museum are 38 carved stones, which had once stood on the old church mound. Among the stones on display is the magnificent 9th Century Drosten Stone, a flat rectangular slab with a cross carved on one side and Pictish symbols on the other, and also bearing a Pictish inscription in Latin script.

The small Angus village of St. Vigeans was once the center of a royal estate and of huge religious importance, bustling with prayerful pilgrims and monks. Admittedly, this was more than 1,000 years ago.

The most important indications of the village’s powerful past can be found, however, in two adjoining sandstone cottages along its only street.

Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the museum. Kirkstyle, St.Vigeans, Arbroath, Angus, Scotland

The museum reopened open following refurbishment in April 2009. The site is accessible by prior arrangement with the staff based at the nearby Arbroath Abbey on 01241 878756. They are happy to open the site at a mutually convenient time during the abbey opening hours.

See also the Meigle Museum of Sculptured Stones, also in the care of Historic Scotland.

Address: Kirkstyle, St.Vigeans, Arbroath, DD11 4RB
Phone: T: 01241 878756
Opening Hours: See their web site
Admission: Free
Visit their web site

St Vigeans Pictish stones conserved with laser scanning, see comment below

Note: Three video talks from Tayside and Fife: The Drosten Stone, St Vigeans: a cultural hybrid with Jane Geddes, New findings from East Lomond Hillfort by Joe Fitzpatrick & Oliver O’Grady and Neolithic Halls, Bronze Age Roundhouses and a Late Bronze Age Hoard at Carnoustie with Alan Blair
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St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by Sunny100 : Illustration of The Drostan Stone (front) in St Vigeans museum by J. Romilly Allen. This Pictish cross-slab, dating from the 5th-6th century, has carvings of wild boar, deer, a fish and bird, amongst other mythical creatures, and an archer hunting his prey. There are also circles with interlacing, discs and a Z rod. (Vote or comment on this photo)

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by Sunny100 : The Drostan Stone, a Pictish cross-slab of the 5th-6th century CE in St Vigeans museum. The reverse side (illustrated) has a cemented section that has now been partly restored. On the slab a cross is formed out of Celtic-style knotwork; also there are numerous mythical creatures, interlaced serpents and a tiny demon figure at the top. (Vote or comment on this photo)

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by guba : St. Vigeans Museum Country: Scotland County: Angus Type: Class III Pictish Cross Slab Map Ref: NO63834294 Landranger Map Number: 54 Latitude: 56.576995N Longitude: 2.590342W (Vote or comment on this photo)

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : StVigean's No. 6 (Vote or comment on this photo)

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Hunt scene on recumbent (Vote or comment on this photo)

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : St Vigean's Hogback

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : St.Vigean's No. 7 - Free Standing Cross

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : St Vigean's No.5

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : St Vigeans No.2

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : The Drosten Cross-slab

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Modern Pictish Stone erected on green across from the Church. Other side has Celtic Cross

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by Alta-Falisa : A quick update on the conditions of access. May 2015.

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by jeffrep : The front of St. Viegans Pictish and Medieval Stones Museum located 1/2 mile north of Arbroath off the A92 in the tiny village of St. Viegans in Angus, Scotland. Visits must be by prior arrangement with nearby Arbroath Abbey (telephone: 01241 878756). Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the museum.

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by MAIGO : This Museum is small, but is a very interesting exhibition.

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Back of Free Standing Cross

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : StVigean's No.15 Small cross protected by plastic bag from leaky wall.

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Another cross in the museum.

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Part of Drosten Cross-slab with cement join

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Sign for Free Standing Cross

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Bottom of Drosten Cross-slab

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Museum is in middle cottage

St. Vigeans Museum
St. Vigeans Museum submitted by cosmic : Church and Graveyard

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 872m SE 140° Arbroath Eastern Cemetery souterrain* Souterrain (Fogou, Earth House) (NO64394227)
 1.7km ENE 69° Dickmount Law* Cairn (NO65474355)
 2.7km SE 130° St Ninian's Well (Arbroath)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NO65894116)
 3.2km ESE 106° Maiden Castle Promontory Fort* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO66894202)
 4.2km E 83° Lud Castle* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO68054342)
 4.3km N 3° Kinblethmont* Class I Pictish Symbol Stone (NO641472)
 4.4km ENE 73° Castle Rock (Auchmithie)* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO68074416)
 5.0km N 349° Westfield 2 Timber Circle (NO629479)
 5.0km N 349° Westfield 1 Timber Circle (NO629479)
 5.7km NNW 336° Inverkeilor Cursus Cursus (NO61534812)
 6.2km ENE 60° West Mains of Ethie* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO69284600)
 6.7km ENE 58° Prail Castle* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO69624643)
 7.3km NNW 332° Kinnell Cursus Cursus (NO605494)
 7.4km NNW 335° Kinnell Cursus Cursus (NO607497)
 7.7km NE 54° Red Head* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (NO70134740)
 7.9km NNW 338° Kinnell Pictish Cross Slab Class III Pictish Cross Slab (NO60885028)
 8.3km NW 326° Guthrie Cursus Cursus (NO592499)
 8.7km NW 324° Guthrie Cursus Cursus (NO587500)
 9.3km W 272° Carmyllie Hill (Greystone) Cairn (NO545434)
 10.0km WNW 299° Dumbarrow Hill Stone Fort or Dun (NO55154791)
 11.3km SW 227° Carnoustie Neolithic Halls, Bronze Age roundhouses and Hoard* Ancient Village or Settlement (NO5553135246)
 11.4km SW 220° The Singing Stone (Summstein) Modern Stone Circle etc
 12.9km WSW 247° Camus Cross (Angus)* Ancient Cross (NO519379)
 12.9km WNW 301° Girdle Stane of Dunnichen* Rock Art (NO5280849737)
 13.7km NW 312° Westerton (Aberlemno)* Stone Circle (NO53645210)
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"St. Vigeans Museum" | Login/Create an Account | 9 News and Comments
  
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Video Talk: The Drosten Stone, St Vigeans: a cultural hybrid by Andy B on Wednesday, 21 August 2019
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The Drosten Stone, St Vigeans: a cultural hybrid
Talk by Jane Geddes

Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPwW8fw8Z8Q
[ Reply to This ]

Re: St. Vigeans Museum by Sunny100 on Monday, 16 July 2012
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St Vigean is, in fact, an Irish saint. He was abbot of Fore in Co.Westmeath. He died in 664. Feast-day 20th January. He was probably a missionary in Northern Scotland, with a cultus there from the middle ages.
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Re: St. Vigeans Museum by fairyweb on Monday, 16 July 2012
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Unfortunately, not free to get in to the museum any longer. Also, do not miss looking around the church yard, quite a few very interesting head stones.
[ Reply to This ]

Legacy of lost Pictish kingdom by Andy B on Thursday, 28 April 2011
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Just five words cut into ancient stone – but they help pull back the veil on the final flourishes of the lost Pictish kingdom.

The inscription carefully cut in a panel on the side of the Drosten Stone features the names Drosten along with Uoret and Forcus (Fergus).

Who these people were is not entirely clear, but Drosten is a Pictish name, and he could have been a priest or a nobleman, and indeed there is a St Drosten. There is also a St Fergus.

Uoret may have been the King Uurad, son of Bargoit, who died around 842 ad. This means that this magnificent cross slab, with its remarkable carved decorations, was among the last great works of art produced by the Picts.

The following year their kingdom was united with Dál Riata under one king, leading to the birth of Scotland and the end of a distinctive Pictish cultural identity.

The quality of art, the historical timing, and the inscription combine to make the Drosten Stone one of Scotland’s great cultural treasures. It is also the case that inscriptions on Pictish stones are as rare as hens’ teeth.

The fact that it features a combination of Pictish, Gaelic and possibly Latin words underlines the dynamic nature of Pictish society culture and the cultural influences which they embraced.

The stone is now the centrepiece of Historic Scotland’s refurbished and recently reopened museum in the small Angus community of St Vigeans. Even more remarkable is that the stone, with an ornate Christian cross on one face and fabulous array of wild and mythic beasts on the other, is far from being alone. Placed all around it in the expanded, but still intimate, museum are 31 more Pictish carved stones and fragments.

More in Leopard Magazine
http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/283/legacy-of-lost-pictish-kingdom
[ Reply to This ]

Re: St. Vigeans Museum by Anonymous on Thursday, 09 April 2009
The museum has re-opened to the public following the refurbishment. During 2009 it will be open during the following times

1 April to 30 September 10am to 3pm
on Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun (closed Mon & Fri)

1 October to 31 March 10am to 1pm
on Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun (closed Mon & Fri)
[ Reply to This ]

St Vigeans Pictish stones conserved with laser scanning by Anonymous on Monday, 18 February 2008
ST VIGEANS PICTISH STONES CONSERVED WITH LASER TECHNOLOGY

Pictish treasures from a village in Angus are being treated with the latest laser technology to record and conserve them.

The carved stones, which date back to the decades before the nation of Scotland was born in the 9th century, depict ornate Christian crosses and fantastic beasts and bear both Latin and Pictish writing (the latter now indecipherable).

Further study of the stones, from St Vigeans near Arbroath, are being carried out while the village’s museum undergoes a major upgrade. It’s an excellent opportunity to clean them and let experts have a fresh look at the 38 stones and fragments in Edinburgh, explained Stephen Gordon, Historic Scotland senior conservator.

“This included using special laser techniques that are superb for removing dirt, or other unwanted materials, without affecting the stones themselves. These works are painstaking, but ultimately very satisfying.”

The new research strongly suggests that the small village of St Vigeans was once home to an important royal monastery, and has also cast new light on the religious beliefs of the Picts.

The stones are a great early Christian treasure of Angus. They include the Drosten Stone, a cross slab with ornate cross and fantastic beasts, plus a rare Latin and Pictish inscription which might have commemorated King Uoret who died around 842AD. In 843AD, the Pictish kingdom was united with Gaelic Dalriada under a single monarch – leading to the birth of Scotland.

“The stones are among the last and very finest expressions of Pictish art, which makes them tremendously important,” said Peter Yeoman, Historic Scotland senior archaeologist.

“These large stone crosses would originally have been set up as monuments, boundary markers and gravestones on the church hill at St Vigeans. We have known for some time the area was an important royal centre, but the latest thinking is that the high-quality carvings, with scriptural images, indicate that there was not just a church but an important monastery under royal patronage at St Vigeans.”

“It may also have been a significant pilgrimage centre, perhaps due to the presence of relics of the Irish St Fechin, from who the village took its name,” added Peter.

Back in the 9th century Arbroath was a small port serving the needs of the more important settlement at St Vigeans.

The human detail in the carvings, telling us about how the Picts lived, also make the collection special. There are rare details like St Paul (not the apostle) and St Antony breaking bread in the desert. Both saints were Desert Fathers who sought a life of purity and worship away from the sinfulness and temptation of ordinary society.

The ideals and practices of these saints were brought from Egypt to Ireland where they had a profound effect on early monasticism. These ideas were then brought to what we now know as Scotland by Irish monks who came to convert the Picts.

It is hoped the stones will be returned by the end of this year with the new-look museum re-opening in time for Easter 2009.

“It’s great to have the chance to modernise the museum so visitors can get the most from the collection,” said Graeme Bell, Historic Scotland district architect. “The refurbishment will provide more space and mean that people can move round the stones and look at them from every angle.”

In contrast to the museum before the upgrade, when keys to it had to be collected from Arbroath Abbey before visiting, a member of staff will always be on hand at the museum in future.

Source: http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART54297.html
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Re: St. Vigeans Museum by cosmic on Sunday, 19 August 2007
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Condition:4
Ambience:4
Access:5
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St. Vigeans Museum by cosmic on Friday, 06 July 2007
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This is a wee gem containing 32 Pictish stones (or fragments of same) which were all recovered from the grounds and graveyard of the adjacent church. The church tops a mound and dominates the area around it.

The museum comes under the auspices of Historic Scotland and access is currently arranged through prior telephone contact with their nearby Arbroath Abbey site - Tel . 01241 878756. It is only open April to September and is due to close for refurbishment in mid-August 2007.
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St. Vigeans Museum by cosmic on Friday, 06 July 2007
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Condition:4
Ambience:4
Access:5
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