The Eagle Stone

Clach an Tiompain

A stone with a heavily-incised eagle (complete with folded wings, detailed talons, feathers and beak) and an ornamented arch-shaped symbol (perhaps an arch, rainbow or horse-shoe?). Both symbols are very easy to make out.

The stone is thought to date from the 7th century AD. It stands on a small mound near the main road through Strathpeffer and its site has spectacular views down the valley towards Dingwall. We would recommend parking at the Old Station by the Highland Museum of Childhood and following directions from there.

Further information

The meaning of the two Pictish symbols on the stone are a mystery.

Local tradition says that the stone was originally located further down the valley towards Dingwall but was moved to its current site to mark the victory of Clan Munro in a battle with Clan Macdonald in 1411. This may have originated from the fact that the eagle is the crest of Clan Munro.

The Eagle Stone is also connected to the prophecies of ‘Coinneach Odhar’, the 16th century ‘Brahan Seer’. He predicted that if the stone fell three times the surrounding valley would flood and the stone would be used as an anchor for ships sailing up the valley. The stone is believed to have fallen twice although it is now set firmly into a concrete base (just to be on the safe side?).

Its Gaelic name ‘Clach an Tiompain’ means either ‘the Sounding Stone’ or ‘The Stone on the Ground’. At some point, the upper right corner of the original rectangular stone has been broken, cutting into the outline of the arch-shaped symbol.

For further details, see https://her.highland.gov.uk/Monument/MHG43542

https://nosasblog.wordpress.com/2019/12/24/pictish-eagles-and-the-strathpeffer-stone/ is a locally-written blog on the Eagle Stone and other Pictish stones with eagle symbols.