Sueno’s Stone

Sueno’s Stone is one of the finest, and certainly the tallest example in the British Isles.

Sueno’s Stone is located near the village of Forres, Scotland, roughly 30 miles from Inverness. In its present state, Sueno’s Stone is over six and a half meters in height. It is encased in a glass enclosure to protect it from the erosive effects of weather and vandalism.

There are several theories as to the purpose of the Sueno’s Stone. Locals like to say that it is the legendary meeting place of the King Macbeth and the three witches who aided him in his ascension to the throne. Unfortunately, this is based on the Shakespeare story of Macbeth, making it difficult to believe. This isn’t aided by the fact that carbon dating of the stone and charcoal that was found at the site, indicates that it was erected somewhere between 600 and 1000 A.D.

The purpose of Sueno’s Stone is more likely to be linked to the carving on its sides. The most dominant of these pictures a carving interpretation of a military battle. Theories propose that these could be an interpretation of Cinaed mac Alpin, it could also have been used to mark the final victory of Malcolm II over the Danes. Several other theories exist, all along the lines of a monument to a great victory or commemoration of a death, but each suffers from the same lack of evidence as the one preceding it.