Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Kildalton Cross

This 1,300-year-old marker is one of the finest and most complete early Christian crosses in Scotland.

Carved about 1,300 years ago, this is one of the finest and most complete early Christian crosses in Scotland. The old Celtic cross was created sometime in the eighth century and has been standing proudly ever since.

Amazingly, the details carved into the cross are still visible. Though it spent more than 1,000 years exposed to rain and wind, you can still see Biblical scenes spread across its surface. Look closely, and you’ll spot images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, angels, David killing a lion, and Cain murdering Abel set into the stone.

The cross was only disturbed once, in the 1880s, when its base stone had become damaged and caused the cross to lean at a worrisome angle. When the cross was temporarily moved, a smaller cross marking the grave of a man and woman was found buried below.

You can find similar crosses on the Isle of Iona, which was once a hub for early Christianity within the Celtic realm.