The Picts
The Picts, or "Painted People," were a group of tribes in northern Scotland, named by the Romans.
They left behind enigmatic carved stones depicting beasts, symbols, and everyday objects.
The name "Bennachie" is believed to derive from Benne Cé, meaning “the mountain of the people of Cé,” named after a Pictish king.
Mither Tap, a hill fort on Bennachie, is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the area. Its massive stone ramparts, dating from the 5th to 8th centuries, reflect the power of its inhabitants. Excavations at nearby Rhynie suggest that the area was a centre of trade and influence during the Pictish period. Christianity began to spread in the region around 600 A.D., often coexisting with traditional Pictish beliefs. The Chapel of St. Finan, built in 1210, is one of the earliest Christian structures in the area.
Learn more at Shedding new light on Scotland’s mysterious Picts