Replica of Kirriemuir #1 cross-slab. Who are the weird bird-headed men?

“The waves crash in and the tide pulls out It's an angry sea, but there is no doubt That the lighthouse will keep shining out To warn the lonely sailor” Sunday doodle of the Bell Rock lighthouse, 12 miles off Arbroath. I could use a week alone there, with sketchbook and pens.

2nd ever attempt at acid-etching brass sheet turned out ok. Rocks rule but shiny stuff is ok too!

From the cross-slab at Eassie in Angus. Carved in Cop-Crag sandstone.

Yesterday was a cracking day to ring a replica early medieval handbell from a round tower. Happy 25th birthday to Abernethy Museum!

On the home straight, on the new Skinnet Cross on Easter Sunday.

The original 16th century Lerags Cross, the 19th century rubbing of its unicorn, my drawing from the rubbing and my sandstone carving from my drawing.

Defiant unicorn from a 15/16th century cross-shaft at Kilbride in Argyll. I like his attitude.

In today's Scotsman, our vice president @monikierockart.bsky.social calls for Historic Environment Scotland to conduct a 'full and open investigation' into how the Aberlemno III Pictish cross-slab came to topple over while inside its protective shelter.

Side 2 finished on recreation of the Skinnet Cross-slab from Caithness. Scheduled for installation at Halkirk next month.

#skinnettowinit #northernpilgrimsway

A couple of Pictish doodles- the cross from Dyce and a double disk and z-rod from Rosemarkie.

We are members of Congress at the Treasury Department. We want to be let in to provide oversight on behalf of our constituents. @jasmineforus.bsky.social @sethmagaziner.bsky.social

Progress! Powering through some more interlace on the Skinnet Cross re-creation. #skinnettowinit #northernpilgrimsway

A stained glass window I have in my office. Presumably French, age unknown.

Using colour fills to check the interlace works on this reconstruction drawing for my carving of the Skinnet Cross.

The lovely wee collection of Pictish sculpture at Inveravon. On a snowy day when you could just about get a car down the track to the Kirk.

A bit of fun today, riffing on the Shandwick cross-slab and a bit of colour.

From 1992 to 2008 the PAS published papers and articles in a journal. Until now they could only be read in the form of original paper copies. Now all 17 journals can be accessed online. Access is free for all. There's some real treasure in there... www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/journals-1

Having drawn the Glenferness Pictish beastie, I had to carve it in sandstone.

It’s got the lot- a bit of interlace, spirals, key pattern- Monifieth 2, carved in local sandstone yesterday.

The magical burning of the Clavie in Burghead, Moray last night. Can you see the god-like face in the smoke? I think it might be Pan…

Superb bitey beasties drawn from the Shandwick stone.

First carving off the banker this year- based on a 13th century ivory chess piece from Skye. The original is 10cm or so tall and this mad thing is 34 cm tall and carved from Northumbrian sandstone. Not much known about its origins but seems a piece that may be from the same set is in the Vatican.

Last doodle of the year- a very Christmassy take on the Bullionfield Pictish chappie. Have a cool Yule!

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Book of Deer dudes

Colourised drawing of two clerics on the 10th c Camus Cross, Monikie, Angus.

Late medieval grave-slab of a Chief of Clanranald. In Honister green slate. 28cm. The colour of this exceptionally hard slate isn’t far off the chlorite schist of the original (in the cloisters of Iona Abbey).

The Birlinn of Clanranald. From the original grave-slab in the cloisters of Iona Abbey. Angus sandstone, 60cm tall.

1885 electrotype with cabochons of the shrine for the bell of St Patrick from around 1100AD. The shrine held the 5th century bell reputed to have belonged to St Patrick. Being auctioned in Kilkenny with an opening bid of 3600Euro.

A wee squadron of Pictish angels.

The Garryduff gold bird. Cork Museum. A tiny thing- 1.5cm across. Thin gold foil with filigree applied. 6/7th century. A lovely wee wren.

Spending the afternoon in my happy place, with the fire on, listening to Van Morrison and drawing stuff.

A lump of sea-worn Angus sandstone with a Morayshire interloper.

Beautiful stained glass by Morris and Co at St Rules Monifieth, now ‘The Culdee’. Highly recommended for coffee and cocktails…

Back from oblivion- a pair of resurrected hippocamps from the Skinnet Cross. Thanks to old photos and photogrammetry. New Skinnet Cross being carved for the Northern Pilgrims Way.

Detail of Newgrange kerbstone (K67), hand-pecked this morning on a sea-worn piece of Angus whinstone.

Reconstructed interlace on a panel from St Orland’s stone, a Pictish cross-slab with a superabundance of hippocamps/s-beasts.

It’s here! The Clag Buidhe Naomh Medan (yellow bell of Saint Medan) has arrived from Portugal. 30cm tall and very loud. It looks and sounds great. Made by Francisco Cardoso of Chocalhos Pardalinho.

Tracking the peregrinations of my new handbell as it makes its way from Portugal, into Spain and on to France. It will hopefully find its way to Scotland midweek. Made from sheet iron, brazed in copper alloy. 30cm tall. Made by the last traditional bell maker in Portugal.

Tarbat spirals recreated in sandstone.

Managed to mash-up Tarbat and Orkney, spirals and Kings in a lovely blonde sandstone.