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The Scots were a Gaelic tribe that migrated in the 6th century AD to the northern part of Britain, from where? Ireland, Belgium, or Holland?

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IRELAND / and the word Scotti is Latin for Irishmen - history illustration
IRELAND / and the word Scotti is Latin for Irishmen โ€” history

The people who would eventually give Scotland its name were a Gaelic tribe originating from Ireland. These early inhabitants of what is now Scotland were known as the Scotti, a term that the Romans used to refer specifically to the Irish people. Their journey across the North Channel marked a significant cultural and political shift in the history of Great Britain.

Around the 6th century AD, these Irish-Gaelic settlers embarked on a migration eastward, crossing the narrow sea to establish themselves in the western parts of Caledonia, modern-day Scotland. They founded the kingdom of Dรกl Riata, spanning both northeastern Ireland and southwestern Scotland, thereby extending their influence and culture. This movement brought their Gaelic language and traditions to a new land, gradually shaping its identity.

This migration wasn't just a simple move; it was a foundational moment. The arrival of the Scotti introduced a powerful new cultural force to the region, eventually leading to their dominance and integration with the native Pictish peoples. Over centuries, the descendants of these Irish migrants and the indigenous inhabitants would coalesce, giving rise to the Kingdom of Alba, which later evolved into the nation we know today as Scotland.