The Pictish nation, forged in the shadow of the Roman empire, was the dominant power in northern Britain for more than 500 years. Dr Cummins places the story of the Picts in its historical context and reassesses such topics as the legend of Drust son of Erp and St Columba's mission to the Picts. There are comparisons with contemporary events in Wales and England as well as interpretations of Sueno's Stone and Pictish symbols and an explanation is offered of what happened in 843 when the Scots took over Pictland.