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All the United Kingdom Scotland Kilcreggan Tut-Tut Rock

Tut-Tut Rock

A painted tribute to an ancient Egyptian king lurks along a stretch of Scottish shore.

Kilcreggan, Scotland

Added By
Duncan Chappell
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Tut-Tut.   Thomas Nugent/cc by-sa 2.0
Tut-Tut.   Thomas Nugent/cc by-sa 2.0
Tut-tut.   Thomas Nugent/cc by-sa 2.0
The Tut Tut Rock, Kilcreggan.   duncanchappell / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Rather prosaically called “the Painted Rock” when first created in 1851, this piece of Victorian rock art is painted upon a boulder cast high on the shoreline by the retreat of a glacier during the last Ice Age.

The rock’s look has varied throughout the years, often to reflect historical events. Despite having no connection to Egypt, the rock gained its current name, Tut-Tut, in 1922 following Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the King Tut mania that followed. During World War II, a V for Victory was incorporated to boost morale in the local community.

The colorful rock was originally painted by a local house-painter named Mr. Spry, of whom little is known, and was then traditionally tended and repainted by the occupants of Huddersfield House (later Windward House) across the road. For many years, the responsibility of caring for the rock fell to resident Norman Tullis who, upon his death, left money in his will to continue his work. 

Today, with the money now spent, care for the rock has been enthusiastically taken up by the local community. The last repainting involved a number of local school children. Tut-Tut is just one of several examples of painted rocks on the Clyde Estuary, reflecting a very particular local folk culture.

Related Tags

Rocks Roadside Attractions Art Victorian Egyptian Revival Geology

Know Before You Go

Tut-Tut can be seen by walking west along Shore Road from Kilcreggan ferry pier.

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Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

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Added By

duncanchappell

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

October 9, 2018

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  • http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1418:clyde-ais-history-of-rock-art&catid=89:places&Itemid=463
  • https://thelochsidepress.com/2013/07/07/a-facelift-for-landmark-tut-tut/
Tut-Tut Rock
Shore Road
Kilcreggan, Scotland
United Kingdom
55.983668, -4.832862
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Granny Kempock Standing Stone

Gourock, Scotland

miles away

Free French Memorial Cross

Greenock, Scotland

miles away

Elizabeth Blackwell's Grave

Kilmun, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Granny Kempock Standing Stone

Gourock, Scotland

miles away

Free French Memorial Cross

Greenock, Scotland

miles away

Elizabeth Blackwell's Grave

Kilmun, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

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