Union of Picts and Scots: Formation of the Kingdom of Scotland

The union of the Picts and Scots marked the beginning of the Kingdom of Scotland, with Kenneth I MacAlpin, also known as Cináed mac Ailpín, traditionally considered the founder and first King of Scotland. Although he never held the title historically, being King of the Picts instead, his reign laid the groundwork for the Kingdom of Alba, which would eventually become known as Scotland. By the late 11th century, Scottish kings were using the term rex Scottorum, or King of Scots, to refer to themselves in Latin. The Kingdom of Scotland would go on to flourish for centuries, with notable monarchs such as [[macbeth|Macbeth]] and [[mary-queen-of-scots|Mary Queen of Scots]], until it unified with the Kingdom of England to form the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. This union had significant implications for the future of Scotland, including the [[act-of-union-1707|Act of Union 1707]], which led to the creation of a single parliament for both countries. The legacy of the Kingdom of Scotland continues to be felt today, with its rich history and cultural heritage remaining an integral part of Scottish identity, as seen in the works of [[robert-burns|Robert Burns]] and the preservation of Scottish [[gaelic-language|Gaelic language]] and traditions.