Kingdom of Cait

Cat or Cait was a Pictish kingdom during the Dark Ages. It was, according to Pictish legend, founded by Caitt (or Cat), one of the seven sons of Cruithne. Cat became the largest of the northern Pictish kingdoms, at least for a period of time, centering around Caithness. It passed out of modern knowledge, as most of the early Pictish kingdoms did, until the sixth century. In 697, after the death of Taran mac Entifidich, it was united into Pictland.

The name is preserved in the modern placename Caithness, which occupies approximately the same location as the ancient kingdom. The name is also preserved in the Gaelic name for Sutherland ("Cataibh"), in several specific names within that county and in the earliest recorded name for Shetland ("Inse Catt", meaning "islands of the Cat people").

External links

* The History Files: [http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsBritain/GaelsPictland.htm Kings of Pictland]
* [http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/maps/500_kingdoms.html Map of Britain c500 AD at EBK]