SIGNS of Scotland’s ancient kingdoms can still be found in Scottish people’s DNA – and many are apparently still living in the same areas as their ancestors did more than a millennium ago, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have constructed the first comprehensive genetic map of Scotland, which reveals that the country is divided into six main clusters of genetically similar individuals: the Borders, the south-west, the north-east, the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.
The geographical groupings are in similar locations to Dark Age kingdoms such as Strathclyde in the south-west, Pictland in the north-east, and Gododdin in the south-east. The Dark Ages are widely considered to be from the end of the Roman Empire in 476 AD to around 1000 AD. Experts also believe that as well as showcasing Scotland’s genetic continuity, this type of population analysis could help the discovery of rare DNA differences which could play major roles in human disease.
Researchers say the new data from Scotland means this is the first time the genetic map of the UK and the Republic of Ireland can be seen in its entirety.
The study also found that some of the founders of Iceland may have originated from north-west Scotland and Ireland and that the Isle of Man is genetically predominantly Scottish.
Researchers looked at the genetic makeup of more than 2500 people from Britain and Ireland – including almost 1000 from Scotland – whose grandparents or great grandparents were born within 50 miles of each other.
They then compared this with the DNA of people who lived thousands of years ago and found that Orkney and Shetland had the highest levels of Norwegian ancestry outside Scandinavia, and that many islands within the archipelagos had their own unique genetic identity.
The team noted that the islands also contained subtle, but notable genetic differences between people living only a few miles apart, with no obvious physical barriers.
Their study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Professor Jim Wilson, from the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute and MRC Human Genetics Unit, said: “It is remarkable how long the shadows of Scotland’s Dark Age kingdoms are, given the massive increase in movement from the industrial revolution to the modern era.
“We believe this is largely due to the majority of people marrying locally and preserving their genetic identity.”
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