Heritage
Barry has particular skill in reconstructing Pictish stone carvings, which brought him to the Tarbatness peninsula in the North-East Scottish Highlands where he now resides. Pictish art is ubiquitous throughout the area, and Barry has been heavily involved in bringing this rich heritage to life by reconstructing important works of art, such as the Hilton of Cadboll stone.
Hilton of Cadboll Pictish Stone (Phase 1)
Completing both phases of this project took Barry approximately 5 years of tireless work by hand, using a traditional mallet and chisel as the original Pictish artist would have to reconstruct a 4 meter double sided monument depicting the arrival of a Pictish settlement. Barry had to use thousands of fragments uncovered during archaeological digs in his efforts to reconstruct the original design as closely as possible, allowing him deep insight into centuries-old artistic method and style.
Hilton of Cadboll Pictish Stone (Phase 2)
Barry worked alongside Glasgow University Archaeology Department during a 10 week excavation and analysis of the Hilton of Cadboll Chapel site, in which over 3000 fragments from the original sculpture as well as the missing base were discovered. Being onsite daily and involved in finding these fragments gave Barry an even greater appreciation for the artistry of the Pictish people. Over a period of ten months Barry developed the design for the 'Cross Face' of the Hilton Stone reconstruction, influenced by the fragments he had become so familiar with . The next 3 years were spent carving the sculpture in-situ next to the Chapel site.
Aberlady Cross
Barry was commissioned to produce a reconstruction of how the Aberlady Cross may have looked based on the fragments that were found in the area and are now on display at The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. The original fragments, Picitsh in origin, show a Northumbrian influence in their design. This sculpture carved from Scottish sandstone stands 4m high and is situated in the coastal village of Aberlady near Edinburgh.
© 2025 Barry Grove
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