Scotland.

An ornamental capital letter 'D' is decorated with detailed patterns of flowers and leafy vines, set within a rectangular frame. The kingdoms of England and Scotland were in ancient times known by one name, Albion, and later called Britain, since these two lands form a single island. At that time, however, the Picts and Scots original: "Picti vnd Scoti" seized the island of Hibernia, or Ireland. These peoples invaded Britain with military force, seeking to drive out the inhabitants. The Britons pushed them back, but did not drive them entirely from the land; instead, the invaders began to occupy the northern part of Britain original: "das hindertheil... gegen Mitnacht," literally 'the back part toward midnight,' a common early term for the North, and thus that region was named Scotland after them. As they grew into a great nation in the following years, Scotland became a distinct kingdom. Their first king was Fergus original: "Fergusius", around the time (as Buchanan writes) that Alexander the Great original: "Alexander Macedo" conquered Babylon, approximately 332 years before the birth of Christ. One may read of this in George Buchanan’s History of Scottish Affairs original: "Georg: Buchanani rerum Scotic Histor." up until the time of the current King James VI.

This land is mostly mountainous and not as fertile as England, but it is richer in fish. In the valleys, it has many lakes and marshes, as well as inland rivers and waters. On the mountains, in many places, there is good pasture which provides abundant fodder for the livestock. There are also many forests full of wild animals. These conditions make the land unconquerable, as the inhabitants can take refuge in the mountains and sustain themselves there with fish and wild game.

God has created many wonderful things in the nature of this land. First, it produces all kinds of ore: gold, silver, mercury, iron, lead, and copper are found in great quantities. Precious stones are also found there, and particularly the stone called jet original: "Gagates", which burns in water and is extinguished with oil. The ocean bordering this land is overflowing with oysters, herring, coral, mussels, and other shell-bearing fish. In Galloway original: "Gallouidia" (as Hector Boece original: "Hector Boetius" writes), there is a lake where one part freezes like other water, but the other part (wondrous to say) never does, no matter how cold the winter is. In Lennox, which Ptolemy calls Lelgovia, there is a large lake called Loch Lomond original: "Loumond" by the inhabitants, over 24 miles long and 8 wide. This lake sometimes becomes so stormy and agitated—even when it is calm and no wind blows—that no mariner (no matter how bold or daring he may be) dares to set out from the shore. Those already on their way must endure great danger of shipwreck. This lake encompasses 30 islands, one of which (which is very fertile and grazes much livestock) floats upon the water and is driven back and forth by the winds. This lake also has fish without fins that are good to eat. At Slains original: "Slanis" (a castle in the region of Buchan original: "Butquania"), there is a cavern or hole of such wonderful nature that all water dripping into it is turned into very white stone after a long time; if it were not cleared out, the cavern would eventually be filled. In this land, no rats are found, and if they are brought there, they cannot stay or live. Near the city of Edinburgh, a spring flows where drops of oil float on the surface; it is of such a nature that if nothing is taken, no more flows, but if much is taken, the supply remains constant. This oil is a good medicine and heals scabs, mange, or other skin eruptions. In Scotland, trees are found standing by the water that produce bud-like growths; when it is time, they fall off, and those that fall into the water become living birds, which they call "Class." Giraldus Cambrensis original: "Sil. Giraldus" calls them "Bernacas" the Barnacle Goose, which was legendary for supposedly growing from driftwood or trees. Their growth or breeding is also found on the island of Pomona, situated in the sea not far from Scotland toward the North. Others, however, attribute this power to the nature of the water rather than the tree buds, saying that from any wood thrown into this water, living worms emerge, float upon the water, grow, get feathers, and fly away.

Scotland is divided into two parts by the rough, terrible Grampian Mountains original: "Berg Grampium" (which Tacitus mentions). The inhabitants living in the part toward the South original: "gehn Mittag" have more polite manners and speak the English language. Those on the other side toward the North original: "gehn Mitnacht", however, are a hard, wild people, called "Wildmen." They keep Irish original: "Hybernische oder Yrische" customs, language, and weapons, and run with bare legs up to the knee. These wild people (says John Major original: "Maior Schotus") we call the people of the Lowlands, and the others the people of the Highlands. Their origin, as mentioned, is from Ireland, and they do not live far from one another, for when the sky is clear, one may see Ireland from Scotland. The Scots are nimble in their reason and understanding, vengeful and fierce in war, able to endure hunger well, and by nature rebellious, having many internal persecutions and uprisings one against the other, etc.

The royal capital city of this land is Edinburgh, located one Welsh mile from the arm of the sea in the province of Lothian original: "Laudenia". This city has two mountains lying toward the east; the one that turns toward the south is called Arthur's Seat original: "Archmi stül", while the other, extending toward the north, is called Salisbury Crags original: "Eberszberg". The soil nearby is exceedingly fertile, with many pleasant meadows, small woods, lakes, and streams, and over a hundred castles within one German mile of the city. To the West lies a high mountain or rock, upon which stands a castle. Below it is a deep valley surrounding the mountain, except toward the city; therefore, the castle cannot be climbed or won except from the city side. This castle is called "Castrum puellarum," which is "Maiden's Castle" original: "Magdeburg," here meaning 'Maiden-town' as a translation of the Latin, for the maidens of the Picts were kept there in discipline and manual labor until their marriageable age (as was the custom then). To the East of the city, however, is a mighty, rich monastery called Holyrood original: "H. Creutz," literally 'Holy Cross', and adjacent to it is the King's palace and several pleasure gardens. Toward the North, one Italian mile from the city (as said), is an arm of the sea; on this lies the town of Leith original: "Lieth", which has a powerful port where there is excellent navigation and shipping. The royal seat now in Edinburgh is said to have formerly been in Aberdeen. From Scotland, people export coarse Scottish cloth, frieze, stone or blacksmith's coal, some barley and malt, etc.