Road trip

Took a journey due west from Dunfermline to a site where many depictions of this unique sword are seen on medieval grave slabs. Through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs,

up and over the mountain pass, 'Rest An Be Thankful',

and on down to the shores of Loch Fyne, we eventually arrived at Kilmartin Glen, ancient capital of the Gaelic kingdom of Dalriada. It was the hub of civilisation in early Scotland until about 850 AD, when king Malcolm Canmore moved the centre of the kingdom to Dunfermline. There's over 800 stone carvings in the valley, including stone circles and standing stones, covering an estimated 4000 years of history. It's recorded by medieval writers that on the hill fort, Dunadd, the early kings of the 'Scotti' were inaugurated by placing their foot in a carved out stone footprint on top of the hill.

It is known that the missionary Columba inaugurated Scotland's first 'Christian' king here, Aidan, in the 500's AD. As a result, 'the Word of God spread across the region'. Combined with the idea that the Scone's 'Stone of Destiny' was used, many believe that the legend of King Arthur and the 'Sword in the Stone' originated from this place. In any wise, the grave depictions of the medieval Scottish arming sword are only two miles away from the hill fort site. Depictions of the sword are also found on the isle of Iona and the church at Keills, which are linked with the influence of Columba. Although these depictions were carved some 700 years later, in the 1300's, it is not impossible that it's design may have been based on the original Sword in the Stone...an exciting discovery for a blade smith! The main purpose of going there, however, was to get a better look at the carvings as I embark on the carving of the hilt, handle, scabbard, and fittings. If all goes well, it will be as covered head to foot as a tattooed pict.