Early maritime Scotland

Abstract

This thesis provides a general view of maritime Scotland from c. 10.000BP, the retreat of the last glacier of the Loch Lomond Stadial, until 1018AD, the first formal agreement upon the River Tweed as Scotland's southern border following the Battle of Carham. The thesis shows the importance of water upon the physical landscape and man's dependence upon water, and his ability to travel on it, to facilitate survival, social development, development of trade and to aid immigration throughout prehistoric and early mediaeval Scotland. Emphasis is given to the geomorphology of Scotland and the development of water transport throughout the time period covered.