The Makers of Scotland

Picts, Romans, Gaels and Vikings

By: Tim Clarkson

Narrated by: David Vickery

During the first millennium AD the most northerly part of Britain evolved into the country known today as Scotland. The transition was a long process of social and political change driven by the ambitions of powerful warlords. At first these men were tribal chiefs, Roman generals, or rulers of small kingdoms. Later, after the Romans departed, the initiative was seized by dynamic warrior-kings who campaigned far beyond their own borders. Armies of Picts, Scots, Vikings, Britons, and Anglo-Saxons fought each other for supremacy.

From Lothian to Orkney, from Fife to the Isle of Skye, fierce battles were won and lost. By AD 1000 the political situation had changed for ever. Led by a dynasty of Gaelic-speaking kings, the Picts and Scots began to forge a single, unified nation which transcended past enmities. In this book, the remarkable story of how ancient North Britain became the medieval kingdom of Scotland is told.

©2011, 2013 Tim Clarkson (P)2022 Tantor

What a rich history.

What I will always be grateful for, and what stood out to me the most, is the sheer amount of detail in this history of ancient Scotland. So much to learn! So much to appreciate and glean from manuscripts, records and poetry! The archeological work shedding light on mysteries of the past no one knew of before!

I liked the way the information was set out. Despite my unfamiliarity with the Scottish landscape, I was able to follow along fairly well with what the author described, and only got lost when the details became much more blurred. But overall, it was a marvellous experience, one I look forward to repeating if I can sometime.

The one drawback was: the narrator is a bit monotone and reads a little fast. But that's it, and doesn't reflect on the book itself. The book was great!

Good book easy to listen to

I enjoyed listening to this book. if you like history you'll like it. you do not need a