Who Were the Scottish Picts? Secrets of a Lost People

The story of the Scottish Picts is one of mystery, resilience, and transformation. Often overshadowed by later Celtic and Gaelic powers, the Picts of Scottish history were a distinct people who ruled vast stretches of early Scotland for centuries. In this article, we’ll explore who they were, how they lived, what they believed in, and why their legacy still echoes through the Scottish highlands today.

The word “Pict” comes from the Latin term Picti, which means “painted people”—a name coined by the Romans who described their body art or tattoos. While some considered it an insult, the Picts eventually embraced the name, making it their own during the height of their power.

Legends tell of the Picts arriving from the distant lands of Scythia, denied refuge in Ireland, and sailing to Scotland, where they carved out a kingdom. However, archaeological evidence and early Roman texts suggest they were more likely the descendants of native Iron Age tribes—such as the Caledonii and the Vacomagi—who evolved into what we now recognize as the Scottish tribe Picts, unified by culture and resistance.

In the 7th century, the kingdom of Fortriu (likely based near modern Inverness) rose as the dominant Pictish power. Under kings like Bridei mac Beli, Fortriu unified Pictish tribes, repelled outside threats, and forged a strong political identity that transformed the patchwork of chiefdoms into a formidable kingdom.

Ever wondered what life was like behind the carved stones? Let’s step into a Pictish village…

Pictish society was clan-based, and intriguingly, royal succession often followed the female line. This matrilineal practice set them apart from neighboring cultures and may have given women a unique social role in their politics and lineage traditions.

What did a Pict look like? While myths depict them as naked warriors covered in tattoos, carvings and artifacts show finely dressed men and women wearing brooches, combs, and cloaks. Stone engravings show horse riders and warriors with curled hair and detailed garments. A modern facial reconstruction from Rosemarkie gives us the haunting image of a real Pictish man—his face frozen in time from over 1,400 years ago.

Pictish burial practices offer valuable insight into their beliefs and social structures. Unlike the towering symbol stones, their cemeteries were more subtle—yet just as telling.

Recent excavations at Tarradale in the Highlands revealed an extensive burial site featuring at least 18 round and 8 square barrows—mound graves that have mostly eroded but are still visible through crop marks. These structures hint at a hierarchical society that marked elite burials in unique ways.

Other barrow cemeteries, such as those at Garbeg and Whitebridge in Inverness-shire, remain partially intact and visitable today. The variation in burial types—from square to round—may indicate differing tribal customs, regional identities, or social status.

Pictish artistry is unlike anything else in Europe. At the heart of it are their symbol stones—slabs carved with mysterious icons like crescents, V-rods, beasts, and combs. Scholars believe these were personal name markers or clan identifiers. Some symbols are deeply abstract, others depict animals or tools, but none are fully deciphered.

Found across northern Scotland, these stones are a treasure map of the Pictish world. The Aberlemno Stone in Angus, the Sueno’s Stone in Moray, and the Shandwick Stone in Easter Ross are prime examples. One slab may show warriors on horseback; another, a mirror-and-comb symbol—perhaps signifying status or vanity. These designs evolved over centuries, merging with Christian symbols in the later period.

Another fascinating example of Pictish art can be found in Jonathan’s Cave, located at East Wemyss in Fife. Unlike traditional standing stones, this seaside cave features Pictish symbols carved directly into the sandstone walls—including the crescent and V-rod.

These rare carvings offer a glimpse into how Picts expressed their identity even in secluded or sacred spaces, proving their symbols weren’t limited to monuments alone.

Beyond stones, the Picts crafted intricate silver brooches, pins, and animal figurines. The craftsmanship rivaled their Irish and Anglo-Saxon neighbors. Sites like Rhynie unearthed fragments of fine metalworking, showcasing the Picts' eye for luxury and detail.

Christianity didn’t erase Pictish culture—it transformed it. Cross slabs began to incorporate traditional symbols alongside Christian crosses. Burial mounds became more aligned with Christian rites, and literacy spread through monasteries. Art flourished, blending ancient motifs with spiritual symbolism.