The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. Ill] OF SCOTLAND 39
object, and consequently to have upheld the ancient Pictish
mode of succession by the female line. Now, as from the name
of Alpin, and those of his descendants, it is plain that the
Dalriadic-king must have been connected with the Picts by the
female line, it is natural to suppose that the northern Picts
would support the heir to the Pictish crown according to the
ancient system of succession, rather than to permit the intro-
duction of hereditary succession in the line of the southern
Picts, and the consequent increase of their power, even although
that support should have the effect of placing a foreign family
upon the throne.
It is manifest, then, that if the Cruithne or northern Picts
were altogether independent of the southern Picts at the time
of the conquest, and if they even actually assisted the Dalriadic
Scots in that conquest, they would themselves remain unaffected
by its results, and instead of suffering from the success of that
invasion, would even in all probability obtain an accession of
territory.
Such is the conclusion to which we are brought by this mode
of ; argument but there is still another mode bv'
Second mode •
i i i •
i
r i
of argument, which the naturc and mtent of this revolution may
by coutrasting .
the si'uation be ascertauied. We know the exact state and internal
of the tribes
after the con- coiiditioii of the different tribes in :
/ 731 o by J contrasting fc.
quest, with . .
tiieir condi- with this the situation of the same tribes after the
tion in ,31.
alleged conquest, it is manifest that we may deduce
from their condition after that event the probable nature of the
revolution which produced so great a change.
From this contrast we obtain the following results :—
P"irst.— In the year 731, Scotland was inhabited by two
distinct nations, the Picts, and the Dalriadic Scots. These
nations were independent of each other, and were governed
by independent lines of princes. After the year 843, we find
the whole of Scotland under the government of one monarch ;
it therefore necessarily follows, either that these two nations
were united into one, or that the one reduced the other under
its dominion.
Second.—As we find that after the year 843 there was but
one king over Scotland, and as we find that the succession to
the throne was purely hereditary, it is manifest that the monarch