The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. l] OF SCOTLAND
Caledonians during this period we know little ; in the time of
Agricola they appear to have consisted of a number of independent
tribes, who, although they acknowledged a common
origin, and were known by one national appellation, were in all
probability engaged in frequent warfare among themselves, and
were only united for the purpose of a general incursion into the
territories of the southern Britons. The invasion of the Romans
appears to have produced the first general and permanent union
them. The different tribes of Caledonia assembled
among
together, and with many solemnities formed themselves into a
general confederacy ; one of their chiefs was elected to lead them
the Romans and Galgacus may thus with reason be
against ;
called the first king of the Caledonians'. His authority, in all
probability, only continued while the nation was at war, but the
system once introduced, seems to have been followed out on
after occasions, gradually assuming a more permanent char-
acter, until it at length appeared in the shape of the Pictish
monarch}'.
A.D. 121.
Caledoniaos
consisted of
thirteen
tribes.
In the second century the Caledonians consisted
of thirteen tribes, whose names and positions are for-
tunately preserved to us by the invaluable geographer
Ptolemy.
appear as follows :—
In the oldest editions of his work they
Tribes.
1. Epidioi . . .
2. Kreones . .
3. Karnones .
4. Kairinoi . .
5. Kournaovioi
6. Kaledonioi .
7. Kanteai
Districts.
Inhabiting Kintyre, Knapdale, Argyll proper,
and Lorn.
Lochaber, Morvern, Moidart,
Morer, Knodert, and Glenelg.
Wester Ross.
Assint, Edderachylis, and Parish
of Duriness.
Strathnaver and Kaithness.
Badenoch, Stratherrick, Glen-
garry, Glenmorison, Glenur-
quhart, and the Aird, &c.,
Strathnairn, Strathdearn, and
Atholl,
Easter Ross.
"
Tacitus Vit. Agricol., c. 30.