Scots

A tribal grouping living in the northwestern part of the British Isles whose early history and movements remain obscure. It is widely believed that from at least the mid 4th century ad the Scots were mainly living in what is now northeastern Ireland, although some scholars argue for an early presence in western parts of modern-day Scotland even by this time. Certainly the Scots are mentioned by Roman writers as being one of the tribes who joined together in attacking the northern frontiers of the Roman province of Britannia. By the 5th century there were certainly Scots in the kingdom of Dálriada centred on Argyll, and they appear to have united with Pictland in c.ad 849. The king-lists give the names of the kings of the Picts and Scots together down to Malcolm III (d. 1095); the common ancestor they give is Fergus mac Erc who is reported elsewhere as leading the colonization of Dalriada from Ireland. By the 11th century Scots Gaelic was used throughout Scotland, except for the Hebrides and the Northern Isles which remained under Norse control.