Scotland was first defined as a specific entity by the Romans,
who invaded the island of Albion (now called Britain) in 43 AD.
Finding the northern native Celts difficult to impossible to
pacify, Emperor Hadrian ordered the northern half of the island to
be abandoned and a defensive wall erected in 122 AD.
The Gaels or otherwise known as the Scotti by the Romans were
the occupants of the island of Ireland.The early accounts of the
Scotti are from Roman sources particularly,Ammianus Marcellinus who
describes their relentless raids on Roman Britain.The Scotti are
confirmed by later sources to be the Gaelic speaking inhabitants of
Ireland.They were called Scotti after Scota who was the wife of the
leader of the Milesian people(Celts)who moved up from Spain to
Ireland.Ireland at one stage was addressed as Scota by the
Romans.The Scotti eventually crossed to Alba (as it was known then)
from the North of Ireland to what is known today as Argyll(coast of
the Irish) thus forming the kingdom of DalRiada .The resident Picts
were eventually absorbed by the Scotti who grew in power and
influence.The name Scotti-Scot was applied to all the kingdoms
subjects hence the name Scot/Scotland-it translates as the land of
the Irish.
Ireland was then known by the Romans as Hibernia.
The Gaels of Scotland and Ireland are the same people in all
respects.
