A large upright stone slab is supported by two metal rods. On its face are carved Pictish symbols. Two are snake-like creatures with heads resembling dragons. Below them is the Pictish Beast, shaped like an elephant but with a very long nose rather than a trunk. Below it is the double-disc symbol, a bit like two hand mirrors tied together by their handles. It now stands in the grounds of Brodie Castle in Morayshire.

#31DaysofGraves #Day24 #UnusualAnimal Found in the 18thC in the grounds of nearby Dyke parish church, "Rodney's Stone" features a carving of the Pictish Beast, an unidentified animal found on numerous stones around Scotland, variously thought to be a dolphin or an elephant. More at: buff.ly/B6OfAKF

A grave with a carved dog resting in front of the headstone, obviously mourning the dead, who is represented by a relief in the headstone. Trees and creepers all around, one thick root of something growing across the grave itself.

The grave of celebrated boxer Tom Sayers (1826-1865). His dog Lion was chief mourner at his funeral. 100,000 people are said to have attended, with some poor sods crashing through the fresher graves in the vicinity.

#31DaysOfGraves #UnusualAnimal #HighgateCemetery #London