Eight Pictish symbol stones have been found at Rhynie, including the "Rhynie Man", a 1.8 m tall boulder carved with a bearded man carrying an axe, possibly a representation of the Celtic god Esus. The "Rhynie Man" now stands inside the headquarters of Aberdeenshire Council in Aberdeen.

In 2011 archaeological excavations at Rhynie uncovered a substantial fortified settlement dating to the early medieval period. Archaeologists working at the excavation have speculated that the settlement may have been a royal site occupied by Pictish kings. It has been suggested that Rhynie may have been a centre for royal assemblies between the sixth and eighth centuries.

Some of the stones were found among the foundations of the old church.

The Aberdeenshire area must have been a home for the Picts. Around 20% of all recorded Pictish symbol stones in Scotland have been found in Aberdeenshire.