Maps

Introduction

Antiquarian maps have to be taken with a large pinch of salt.

In fairness all maps do, they being - if drawn accurately -the sum of knowledge available at the time they were draughted of the landscape, named locations and their associated features as well as the peoples who inhabited ancient Scotland and the boundaries between these tribal groups.

As many of the original Roman names come from sources as varied as Ptolemy (circa 140 AD), the Ravenna Cosmography (circa 700 AD) and the works of the medieval (and quite possibly unfairly maligned) Richard of Cirencester (circa 14th/18th C AD) then the resultant maps can vary quite considerably in detail on matters that have been variously interpreted over the years.

Antiquarian maps of Scotland usually applied all known or inferred references on a single map. Clealy not all tribes, locations and Roman terms for regions were necessarily contemporary with each other, the maps as such representing the sum of all knowledge at time of preparation of some 400 years worth of the history of Roman involvement or relationship with ancient Scotland.

To understand these maps it is therefore worthwhile to interrogate them closely, particularly as antiquarians were willing to endeavour to attribute many of the less easily identifiable Roman names for locations, certain tribes and districts which unfortunately the modern Ordnance Survey -based on information provided or indeed witheld by Academia- is not in Scotland currently willing to attempt.

Due to copyright restrictions modern Ordnance Survey maps are not reproduced here but can be procured direct from Ordnance Survey or retailers (see link in services section). Modern maps included here are by Roman Scotland.

Click on the map titles below to open Article and Map.

Map List

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