Scandinavian ScotlandScandinavian Scotland was the period from the 8th to the 15th centuries during which Vikings and Norse settlers, mainly Norwegians and to a lesser extent other Scandinavians, and their descendants colonised parts of what is now the periphery of modern Scotland.
OrkneyOrkney (), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The plural name the Orkneys, though heavily disliked by Orcadians, is also sometimes used. Part of the Northern Isles along with Shetland, Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited.
ShetlandArchipelago in ScotlandShetland, also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, marking the northernmost region of the United Kingdom. The islands lie about 50 miles (80 kilometres) to the northeast of Orkney, 110 mi (170 km) from mainland Scotland, and 140 mi (220 km) west of Norway. They form part of the border between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east.
CaithnessCaithness (; Scottish Gaelic: Gallaibh; Old Norse: Katanes) is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area of Scotland. There are two towns: Wick, which was the county town, and Thurso. The county includes the northernmost point of mainland Britain at Dunnet Head, and also the most north-easterly point at Duncansby Head near John o' Groats. The Flow Country is the largest blanket bog in Europe, and covers a large inland area in the west of the county.
Old NorseNorth Germanic languageOld Norse was a North Germanic language spoken in Scandinavia and in Norse settlements during the Viking Age and the early Middle Ages (approximately the 8th–14th centuries).
NorwayCountry in northern Europe Kingdom of NorwayKongeriket Norge (Bokmål)Kongeriket Noreg (Nynorsk) (in other official languages) Northern Sami:Norgga gonagasriikaLule Sami:Vuona gånågisrijkkaSouthern Sami:Nöörjen gånkarïjhkeKven:Norjan kuninkhaanvaltakunta Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Ja, vi elsker dette landet(English: "Yes, we love this country")Royal anthem: Kongesangen(English: "King's Song") Show globeShow map of EuropeShow overseas territories and dependenciesLocation of the Kingdom of Norway (green)in Europe (green and dark grey)Capitaland largest cityOslo59°56′N 10°41′E / 59.933°N 10.683°E / 59.933; 10.683Official languagesNorwegianSámiRecognised national sign languagesNorwegian Sign LanguageRecognised national minority languagesKvenRomaniScandoromaniEthnic groups (2025) 78.6% Norwegian 21.4% others Religion (2024)68.5% Christianity 61.7% Church of Norway 6.8% other Christian 27.3% no religion3.4% Islam0.8% otherDemonymNorwegianGovernmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy• Monarch Haakon VIII• Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre• President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani• Chief Justice Toril Marie Øie LegislatureStortingUnification of the petty kingdoms• State established 872• Peak extent of the Old Kingdom 1263• Kalmar Union (personal union) 1397• Denmark–Norway (real union) 1524• State re-established 25 February 1814• Constitution 17 May 1814• Kingdoms of Sweden–Norway (personal union) 4 November 1814• Union dissolved 7 June 1905 Area • Total385,207 km2 (148,729 sq mi) (61sta)• Water (%)5.32 (2015)Population• 2026 Q2 estimate 5,633,770 (116th)• Density14.6/km2 (37.8/sq mi) (224th)GDP (PPP)2026 estimate• Total $654.160 billion (49th)• Per capita $115,548 (5th)GDP (nominal)2026 estimate• Total $599.406 billion (30th)• Per capita $105,877 (6th)Gini (2020) 25.3low inequalityHDI (2023) 0.970very high (2nd)CurrencyNorwegian krone (NOK)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)• Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Date formatdd.mm.yyyyCalling code+47ISO 3166 codeNOInternet TLD.nob Includes the mainland, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
EarlEarl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. In modern Britain, an earl is a member of the peerage, ranking below a marquess and above a viscount. A feminine form of earl never developed; instead, countess is used. The title originates in the Old English word eorl, meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form jarl. After the Norman Conquest, it became the equivalent of the continental count.
JarlJarl (English:) was a rank of the nobility in Scandinavia during the Viking Age and Early Middle Ages. The institution evolved over time and varied by region. In Old Norse, it meant "chieftain", specifically one appointed to rule a territory in a king's stead. It could also denote a sovereign prince. For example: During the Viking age the rulers of several of the petty kingdoms of Norway held the title of jarl, often wielding no less power than their neighboring kings.
ScotlandScotland (Scots: Scotland; Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and adjacent islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. In 2022, the country's population was about 5.4 million. Its capital city is Edinburgh, whilst Glasgow is the largest and the most populous of the cities in the country.
Northern IslesThe Northern Isles (Scots: Northern Isles; Old Norse: Norðreyjar) are two archipelagos comprising Orkney and Shetland that are located off the north coast of the Scottish mainland. The climate is cool and temperate and highly influenced by the surrounding seas.
Kingdom of AlbaThe Kingdom of Alba (Latin: Scotia; Scottish Gaelic: Alba) was the Kingdom of Scotland between the deaths of Donald II in 900 and of Alexander III in 1286. The latter's death led indirectly to an invasion of Scotland by Edward I of England in 1296 and the First War of Scottish Independence.
VassalA vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe and elsewhere. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain. The rights and obligations of a vassal are called vassalage, while the rights and obligations of a suzerain are called suzerainty.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.