It is often said that we know little about the Picts' other than what we can glean from their symbol stones, and this reprint of the classic 1903 book on the subject fills a growing need for both academics and the general reader. The original book had a limited print run of 400 and is really only accessible nowadays in research libraries. The new two volume paperback edition produced by PAS member David Henry of the Pinkfoot Press is intended to be of practical use in the study and in the field. This it certainly will be.

Its comprehensive description of all the Early Medieval carved stones known in 1903, their symbols and the methods of construction of many of their intricate and beautiful key, interlace and spiral patterns make the book a must for all those interested in any aspect of Dark Age Scotland, in particular artists and craftspeople who draw inspiration from our ancient Celtic heritage. The accessibility of this great work will probably make many more people aware of just how much the art we think of as Celtic is ultimately derived from the Pictish artists who lovingly created their sculptural masterpieces all over the north and east of Scotland. The descriptions of particular stones and styles are much more detailed than those found in the till now more accessible book by George Bain Celtic Art: The Methods of Consrtuction, on which many (too many) craftworkers have relied since it was first published in 1951. The new ECMS is also lovely to look at, the gold on green cover design including a real spark of modernity while retaining respect for the past. I particularly like the lettering, which has an echo of the flowering of interest in Celtic art that led to the Art and Crafts movement in Scotland a century ago.

With an extensive introduction detailing the creation of the original ECMS by leading Pictish scholar Dr Isabel Henderson, the two volumes contain more than 1100 pages of closely packed information, with a plethora of photographs (their reproduction actually improved by the slight reduction in size necessary in this facsimile) and illustrations describing virtually the entire corpus of Pictish stone art. Even at £49.00 this book will be indispensable for all those interested in Scottish archaeology, history and art.

Stuart McHardy