What are the differences between the Picts and Scots of Ancient Scotland?

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The Picts and Scots were two distinct groups of people who lived in ancient Scotland. Despite sharing a geographic location and having some similarities in culture and language, these two groups had distinct origins, histories, and identities. In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between the Picts and Scots and how they came to shape the history of ancient Scotland.
The Picts were an Iron Age people who lived in the northern and eastern parts of what is now Scotland, flourishing from approximately the fourth century A.D. to the ninth century. They were known for their fierce warrior culture and their custom of body painting or tattooing, which likely gave rise to the Latin term "Picti," or "painted people." The Picts were not a united nation, but rather a collection of tribes that were loosely confederated. Despite several failed attempts by the Romans to conquer the Picts, they remained on the periphery of the Roman Empire and never fully succumbed to Roman rule.
The Scots, on the other hand, were a Gaelic-speaking people of Ireland who migrated to Scotland in the early Middle Ages. The kingdom of Dalriada, located in modern-day Argyll and Bute, was established by these migrants and was the counterpart to Dalriada in Ireland. St. Columba played a key role in introducing Christianity to the Scots and helped raise Aidan to the kingship of Scottish Dalriada in the 6th century. Over time, the Scots expanded eastward and northward, eventually merging with the Picts to form the kingdom of Alba.
One of the key differences between the Picts and Scots is their language. The Picts spoke a Celtic language, which is thought to have been similar to early Welsh. However, due to the lack of written records, very little is known about the Pictish language. The Scots, on the other hand, spoke a Gaelic language, which was more well-documented and has had a lasting impact on the Scottish language and culture.
Another major difference between the Picts and Scots is their political and social organization. The Picts were not a united nation, and their society was organized into separate tribes and kingdoms. The Pictish kingship was not always hereditary, and kings had to prove themselves in battle to maintain their authority. The Scots, on the other hand, had a more centralized and bureaucratic form of government, with the king at the head of the kingdom. The kings of the Scots were usually succeeded by their own brothers or cousins, a practice known as agnatic seniority.
The Picts and Scots also had distinct cultures and traditions. The Picts were known for their fierce warrior culture but were also skilled metalworkers and left behind many examples of intricate metalwork, including weapons and jewelry. The Scots, on the other hand, had a strong tradition of storytelling and oral history, which has had a lasting impact on Scottish culture. They were also skilled farmers and herders, and their economy was based on agriculture and livestock.
Despite their differences, the Picts and Scots eventually came to merge and form the kingdom of Alba. This union was facilitated by political developments in the 12th century, which saw the spread of the English language and the growth of the burghs, or small urban communities. These communities attracted immigrants from England, France, and Scandinavia, and many Gaelic speakers became assimilated into the new social system and its language. As a result, by the 14th and 15th centuries, the variety of English that had developed in Scotland had replaced Gaelic in much of the lowlands.