Excavation work near Doune on a Pictish stone of potential “international significance” is to feature in a BBC TV show early in the new year.
The Old Kilmadock and its Pictish stone will soon be shown on archaeology series ‘Digging for Britain!’.
The episode containing the stone is expected to be part of the North episode broadcast on the Tuesday January 14.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that people across the Stirling area had joined forces with keen historians from around the world to fund the retrieval of the stone, which is believed to date from between the 6th and 8th Century, with a view to its ultimate restoration.
Community-led Rescuers of Old Kilmadock (ROOK) discovered the Pictish artefact in Old Kilmadock Cemetery in 2019 and have since been assisted by Stirling Council archaeologist Dr Murray Cook.
After its initial discovery, the stone was quickly re-buried on site for safety purposes, but a campaign raised thousands of pounds to fund its retrieval and storage for a further two years, allowing for an in-depth examination of the script and engravings that appear on both sides of the delicate stone.
At that time, Murray Cook said: “The ROOK team found the stone by accident and it soon became clear it could be something of international significance, with engravings of animals in the Pictish tradition and what appear to be examples of Ogham script, a form of Irish writing that’s rarely found in Scotland.
“The stone is very, very delicate and was re-buried to retain its structural integrity before we undertake a more detailed examination.”
It’s believed the stone dates from around the period of the Battle of Dun Nechtain in 685, when the Picts expelled the invading Northumbrians from the south and paved the way for the creation of Alba and, ultimately, Scotland.
Most Ogham scripts on previous stones in Scotland have been discovered further north than Stirling, including Argyll, Shetland and Orkney, although examples have also been found in Galloway.
If the engraving on the stone at Doune is proved to be Ogham script, it would be the first such discovery of its type in the Forth Valley and would almost certainly mean there was a monastic settlement at the site of Kilmadock around 1,300 years ago.
ROOK have been exploring funding options for a full restoration and stabilisation project, with a view to ultimately putting the stone on public display. For further details on the project check out the ‘ROOK – Rescuers of Old Kilmadock’ page on Facebook.