The Romans first recorded the names of the people who inhabited what is now Scotland in Ptolemy’s map of 150 AD. The Caledonians were tall, with red hair and ruddy complexions, and thought to be of German origin. Later documents described them as Picts because of the tattoos on their bodies. They had a horn called a Carnyx to frighten enemies when going into battle.

The Romans never defeated the Caledonians despite three big invasions.

A soldier in Vindolanda on the Scottish border writes

“… the Britons are unprotected by armour. There are very many cavalry. The cavalry do not use swords nor do the wretched Britons mount in order to throw javelins.”