Geographic Overview: Pictavia
Here is some early geographic information on the upcoming modification. These are the main settlements and regions of the Pictavia faction.
Pictavia was traditionally said to be divided into seven sub-kingdoms, viz; Fife, Fortriu, Fotla, Fidach, Ce, Circinnd and Cait. In addition to these realms there will be other regions in the Pictish sphere such as Afarnach, Druím Alban and Sceta.
Main settlements in Pictavia
Llis Nechtain (Modern name: Abernethy)
Llis Nechtain is the ceremonial capital of the Picts. This idea is supported by tradition, customs and archaeology. Tradition maintains that Abernethy was the same location as ‘Afarnach’s Halls’ as cited in the earliest Arthurian literature. This name indicates a royal residence of some sort. Further evidence of this are is found in the numerous carved Pictish stones, the distinctive towers and the foundations of the church being attributed to the Pictish king Nechtain. The name “Llis Nechtain” means the “Halls of Nechtain” in reconstructed Pictish. The surrounding region has been named “Afarnach”.
Abernethy tower
Airchartdan (Modern name: Urquhart Castle)
Airchartdan was on the shores of Loch Ness and is thought to have been the main power base of the northern Pictish sub-kingdom of Fortriu. Historians postulate that this site was probably the site where Saint Columba famously 'converted' the Northern Picts in c.570. The name both ancient and modern is pronounced "Erkut". We chose this name above “Craig Phadraig” (often given for Inverness) because the ‘Rock of Patrick’ implies that place was named after the northern Picts had become Christians - which of course at this time they had not.
Urquhart Castle
Din Foither (Modern name: Dunnottar)
Possibly the earliest written reference to the site is found in the Annals of Ulster which record two sieges of "Dún Foither" in 681 and 694. The earlier event has been interpreted as an attack by Brude, the Pictish king of Fortriu, to extend his power over the north-east coast of Scotland. We have "Pictified" this Gaelic version of the name to 'Din Foither'.
Dunnottar Castle
Craig Dhu (Modern name: Clatchard Craig)
This ancient Pictish fortification was destroyed to make way for a quarry in the 1930s. However excavations in 1932 before it disappeared indicated it was a fortress in Fife of great importance. It’s reconstructed Pictish name is conjecture but means “southern rock”.
MORE INFO: Clatchard Craig
Din Celyddon (Modern name: Dunkeld)
Dunkeld was an important site for the Picts. The modern name is derived from the Gaelic ‘Dun Chaileann’ which means “fortress of the Caledonians” in reference to the Picts. We have formulated the reconstructed Pictish name 'Din Celyddon' for this site.
A Pictish stone at Dunkeld Cathedral
Geographic Overviews for the other factions will follow this over the next week so stay posted...
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Didnt know much about the Picts
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