Princes Street Gardens Runestone

Runestone U 1173 displays runic inscriptions within a serpent design that circles a central cross on its surface. The work dates to between 1010 and 1050 and originated in Lilla Ramsjö, Sweden.

The stone was created between 1010 and 1050 in Sweden and came into the possession of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1787. Its journey from Scandinavia to Scotland reflects early scholarly efforts to collect such artifacts.

The inscription 'Ari raised the stone in memory of Hjalmr, his father' reflects how Scandinavian families honored their relatives during the Viking Age through carved monuments. These personal dedications reveal how people expressed their bonds across generations.

The stone now resides at the Scandinavian Studies Department near the University of Edinburgh following its relocation in 2020 from Princes Street Gardens. When visiting, check access conditions and plan your route to the location accordingly.

A replica carved from pink granite now stands in Morgongåva, Sweden, marking the place where the original once belonged. This reconstruction creates a connection between the Swedish birthplace and the Edinburgh location.