History of Scotland : Prehistory to 20 BC

8500 BC
The date of the oldest human settlement yet found in Scotland, at
Cramond, near Edinburgh
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3000 BC
Maes Howe chambered tomb is built on Orkney
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3000 BC
Alleged date of origin of the Fortingall Yew, probably the world's oldest living thing
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3000 BC
Occupation of what may be the first Crannog or artificial islet residence, on the islet Eilean Domhnuill on Loch Olabhat in North Uist
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2500 BC to 2000 BC
Stone village of Skara Brae on Orkney in occupation
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1400 BC
The era of Scota, the daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, who features in the foundation myth of Ireland an Scotland, and who Scotland is named after
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500 BC
Crannogs, houses built on stilts or artificial islets, begin to appear widely on Scottish lochs
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200 BC
According to Irish legend, the "School for Heroes" is run by the warrior queen Scáthach, or Sgathach, at her fortress Dún Scáith, near Tarskavaig on Skye
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200 BC
: to
AD 200
Building and occupation of Brochs, circular stone defensive towers
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20 BC
Pontius Pilate, later to become the Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, is born at Fortingall