Scotland – Its Unique Story Part 3

                              The Dark Ages

Scotland – Its Unique Story Part 2. With the collapse of Roman control throughout Western Europe in the fifth century AD came an influx of differing peoples to Scotland. These continued  over the next few centuries with some measure of stabilisation from 1000 onwards. Anglo-Saxons, Dalriadians and Vikings. As well as many other groups moved in and settled parts of what is now modern Scotland.

                                       The Vikings

These Viking held territories included the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) and the Hebrides As well as the associated mainland territories including Caithness and Sutherland. In 839 the Vikings inflicted a crushing defeat on the Pictish kingdom in a great battle. This greatly weakened it in the subsequent decades. Both the King of Fortriu and the King of Dalriada were killed as were many of the aristocracy. The Vikings from Scandinavia though sometimes seen as the ram-raiders of Ninth century were also traders and farmers when it suited them. They also brought in new technologies such as in metal working and ship building. As well as stimulating trade especially in the North Sea area which also contributed to the mayhem of this period.

                                       Mixing of Cultures

These factors lead directly to the development and mixing of different cultures and languages. This was particularly true in the interplay between the Scandinavian and Gaelic cultures of the Northern Isles and Western seaboard. This is seen most clearly in the many words being incorporated from Norwegian/Danish in to Gaelic and English and the many place names still used around Scotland which are of Norwegian origin.