Scottish History

Part 1

Much of understanding your Scottish Clan involves investigating Scottish History. Grasping the scope and heritage of your Scottish Clan is difficult to do with no idea of the time period into which you’re looking. What will follow is a series of articles dealing with the general principles of Scottish history.

For an even fuller understanding of Scottish history, I recommend that you look at my previous articles on Celtic history. These lay the basis of the country upon which Scotland was formed and that information can prove invaluable to one who is interested in their past.

For a long time, the term Scotland would remain meaningless to the inhabitants of the land, which we now know by that name. Scotland itself only began to gain some form of nationality around the 9th century, after Kenneth MacAlpin began to unite the Scots and Picts as one people. At the time, the territory we now recognize as Scotland was populated by a diverse mixture of ethnic groups. The most prominent of these groups were the Picts and the Scots, although other groups could be found, like Gaels.

As a united group, the Picts and the Scots formed a kingdom which was meant to consist of one people. Although this integration did not take place quickly, as for up to 60 years after their mix distinctions were still drawn between the groups. It was not until the reign of Domnall son of Custain, were the terms “Picti” and “Scoti” superseded by Albanaig (people of Alba). In this new combined society the Pictish culture began to wane. Although heavy influences of the Picts could still be seen for generations, from their geography of the lands which they brought into the kingdom, to their own twist on the language spoken in those lands.

With passing time the united realm of the Picts and Scots created by Kenneth MacAlpin, grew into what we now know as Scotland. An immense history lies up until today and the following articles will help you get acquainted with that history and hopefully assist you in attaining a closer understanding in your family Clan.