In the 780s northern Britain was dominated by two great kingdoms - Pictavia, centred in north-eastern Scotland, and Northumbria, which straddled the modern Anglo-Scottish border. Within a hundred years both of these kingdoms had been thrown into chaos by the onslaught of the Vikings and within two hundred years they had become distant memories. This book charts the transformation of the political landscape of northern Britain between the middle of the eighth and middle of the eleventh centuries. Central to this narrative is the mysterious disappearance of the Picts and their language and the sudden rise to prominence of the Gaelic-speaking Scots who would replace them as the rulers of the North.

From Pictland to Alba pays close attention to the fragmentary sources which survive from this darkest period in Scottish history and guides the reader past the pitfalls which beset the unwary traveller in these dangerous times. Many of the sources are presented in full and their value as witnesses are thoroughly explored and evaluated. Unlike most other volumes dealing with this period, this is a book which 'shows its workings' and encourages readers to reach their own conclusions about the origins of Scotland.