Ars Magica Scotland Campaign

Scotland Campaign

Area Map

Loch Laggan Area

Towns & Villages Features & Geography Other Sites Roads Campaign Information

In the following descriptions, plan text indicates what is known from the "real world".
Italicized text is campaign related information which is fictional.

Towns & Villages Map ^

The following towns and villages actually existed, or appear to have existed, during the campaign setting. Where known, the old names have been applied.

Scottish settlements were small by world standards. The typical village would have no more than a hundred people. The a large town would have had a population of well less than three thousand.

Location Description

Alloa This is a small village situated on the north bank of the River Forth. The settlement developed at a ford and ferry crossing.

Buckhaven Here is a small weaving village and fishing port created by Norsemen who settled here in the 9th century. Its fishing fleet is the largest in this area.

Burntisland Burntisland is a small village built by a natural harbor which was chosen by Agricola as a Roman naval base in AD 83.

Clackmannan Clackmannan is a small town situated to the north of the River Forth. It is dominated by its church and tower. The settlement lies on a ridge that rises out of the surrounding carse land. At the edge of the town stands the stone or 'Clack' that gives the place its name. The stone was sacred to the pre-Christian sea-god Mannan. The parish church, was founded in the 5th Century by St Serf. On King's Seat Hill stands a wooden watch tower which has a commanding view over the Forth Estuary.

Couper Angus Here is a market town situated at a crossroads on the south bank of the River Isla in the center of the fertile valley of Strathmore. A small stream divides the town in two.

Crail This is a fishing village on the Firth of Forth. It is an important seaport exporting salt, fish, mutton, and woolens to the Continent. This town consists of narrow streets with houses huddled together as protection against the harsh sea wind. A parish church includes an 8th century Pictish cross slab.

Culross This very small village is believed to be the birthplace of St. Mungo. A ferry crosses the Firth of Forth to the area near Linlighgow.

Dundee Dundee is one of the five largest cities in Scotland. It is a major trading port plus a center for craftsmen (medieval manufacturing) and merchants. The town is well fortified with a wall and two modest castles.

Dunfernline This modest village was founded within the last fifty years when priest of the Celtic Church built a chapel. However, its has begun to grow quickly. In 1065 Malcolm III Canmore moved his court here from Forteviot and began building a fortress. Canmore's second wife, Queen Margaret, is turning the town into an ecclesiastical center. She has just founded a Benedictine priory (the Priory of Dunfernline).

Dysart Dysart is a modest trading port named after a cave used as a retreat by St. Serf. It is known for its trade with the low countries.

Falkland This small town is situated in a strategic location on a north-south route that opens out into the valley of the River Eden. It is the site of a wooden castle held for Malcolm III Canmore.

Fettykill This is a very small village situated on a ridge overlooking the River Leven.

Forteviot This was the ancient Pictish capital for Scotland. It is now a small town with a notable royal castle.

Inchcolm The Priory of Inchcolm is on an island in the Firth of Forth. It was founded by St. Columbia while he converted the Picts. It is attended by a small village.

Invergowrie This is a small port town with a ferry to Seamylnes. It is controlled by the Abby of Scone (located outside of Perth). Its church was founded by St. Bonifacius in the 8th Century and in the ancient churchyard are two large stones known as the Ewes (or Yowes) of Gowrie. Another stone to the north of of the town is associated with a local tale describing how the Devil flung a huge boulder from Fife with the intention of destroying the church.

Inverin This is a fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. On the shore is a shrine to St. Moineinn established by early Christian missionaries. The village grew up around a well which was dedicated to the saint, its water being used to wash fishermen's nets and lines for many centuries. There are also salt pans along the harbor.

Inverkething A modest sized village situated on a hill overlooks the inner bay of Inverkeithing Bay, an inlet of the Firth of Forth. In Roman times (78 to 87 AD), Agricola, the Roman Governor of Britain, set up a camp here. There is also a ferry across the Firth of Forth.

Kinghorn Kinghorn is a modest port on the north shore of the Firth of Forth which is home to a ferry to the Lothians. The town has a hospice for the poor.

Kinross Here is a modest sized village known for its royal hostelry. It is a crossroads, sitting on the major north-south road between Perth and Edinburgh. It is controlled by Loch Leven Castle, which is held for Malcolm III Canmore.

Leven This is a tiny village whose only purpose is to support the parish church which serves all of the surrounding region.

Linlithgow This is an ancient but small town with a fortress. It is a favored residence of the Scottish kings.

Markinch Markinch is the burgh of barony of Dalgynch. On the northern outskirts of the town stands the old Celtic Stob Cross which marks the limits of sanctuary of Markinch Church. The parish church stands on the site of a preaching station said to have been established towards the end of the 6th Century by St Drostan, a nephew of St Columba. On Markinch Hill are a series of terraces which some say the Romans built.

Newburgh Newburgh is a small port village. Nearby is the Abbey of Lindores.

Perth The town is location at an important crossing of the River Tay at the highest point of the tidal water. It was occupied by the Romans who established a camp at Bertha to the north of the present town. This is by far the largest town and the economic center in the area.

Scone This is a modest town with an old Celtic church. Scone Palace holds the Stone of Destiny (aka the Stone of Scone, Lia Fail, and the Coronation Stone). Scottish kings are crowned on this stone.

Seamylnes This is a small port village which operates ferries across the Firth of Tay to Invergowrie and Dundee.

St. Andrews This modest sized town is sited on the headlandof Kinrimund ("Head of the King's Mount"). It is the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. In about 345 AD St. Rule landed here with the bones of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. By the 8th Century, the city was the object of pilgrimages from all over Scotland. The town is slowly developing into a center of trade.
St. Andrews as been defined as the residence of a "Baron Fredrick" (yep, that's a Scottish name!) who controls the land were the "Monolith" is located.

Uachdarmuc A tiny village whose name means the "high ground of the wild boar" is adjacent to woods and swamps which are the scenes of royal boar hunts.

Victoria This is a village along the River Earn where the broad valley of Strathearn narrows at the confluence of the Ruchill Water and River Lednock with the River Earn. In 79 AD Agricola built one of his Highland line of forts here and named the place. It later developed as a kirktown known for weaving. [Current name is Comrie.]

Location		Description
Alloa		This is a small village situated on the north bank of the River Forth. The settlement developed at a ford and ferry crossing.
Buckhaven		Here is a small weaving village and fishing port created by Norsemen who settled here in the 9th century. Its fishing fleet is the largest in this area.
Burntisland		Burntisland is a small village built by a natural harbor which was chosen by Agricola as a Roman naval base in AD 83.
Clackmannan		Clackmannan is a small town situated to the north of the River Forth. It is dominated by its church and tower. The settlement lies on a ridge that rises out of the surrounding carse land. At the edge of the town stands the stone or 'Clack' that gives the place its name. The stone was sacred to the pre-Christian sea-god Mannan. The parish church, was founded in the 5th Century by St Serf. On King's Seat Hill stands a wooden watch tower which has a commanding view over the Forth Estuary.
Couper Angus		Here is a market town situated at a crossroads on the south bank of the River Isla in the center of the fertile valley of Strathmore. A small stream divides the town in two.
Crail		This is a fishing village on the Firth of Forth. It is an important seaport exporting salt, fish, mutton, and woolens to the Continent. This town consists of narrow streets with houses huddled together as protection against the harsh sea wind. A parish church includes an 8th century Pictish cross slab.
Culross		This very small village is believed to be the birthplace of St. Mungo. A ferry crosses the Firth of Forth to the area near Linlighgow.
Dundee		Dundee is one of the five largest cities in Scotland. It is a major trading port plus a center for craftsmen (medieval manufacturing) and merchants. The town is well fortified with a wall and two modest castles.
Dunfernline		This modest village was founded within the last fifty years when priest of the Celtic Church built a chapel. However, its has begun to grow quickly. In 1065 Malcolm III Canmore moved his court here from Forteviot and began building a fortress. Canmore's second wife, Queen Margaret, is turning the town into an ecclesiastical center. She has just founded a Benedictine priory (the Priory of Dunfernline).
Dysart		Dysart is a modest trading port named after a cave used as a retreat by St. Serf. It is known for its trade with the low countries.
Falkland		This small town is situated in a strategic location on a north-south route that opens out into the valley of the River Eden. It is the site of a wooden castle held for Malcolm III Canmore.
Fettykill		This is a very small village situated on a ridge overlooking the River Leven.
Forteviot		This was the ancient Pictish capital for Scotland. It is now a small town with a notable royal castle.
Inchcolm		The Priory of Inchcolm is on an island in the Firth of Forth. It was founded by St. Columbia while he converted the Picts. It is attended by a small village.
Invergowrie		This is a small port town with a ferry to Seamylnes. It is controlled by the Abby of Scone (located outside of Perth). Its church was founded by St. Bonifacius in the 8th Century and in the ancient churchyard are two large stones known as the Ewes (or Yowes) of Gowrie. Another stone to the north of of the town is associated with a local tale describing how the Devil flung a huge boulder from Fife with the intention of destroying the church.
Inverin		This is a fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. On the shore is a shrine to St. Moineinn established by early Christian missionaries. The village grew up around a well which was dedicated to the saint, its water being used to wash fishermen's nets and lines for many centuries. There are also salt pans along the harbor.
Inverkething		A modest sized village situated on a hill overlooks the inner bay of Inverkeithing Bay, an inlet of the Firth of Forth. In Roman times (78 to 87 AD), Agricola, the Roman Governor of Britain, set up a camp here. There is also a ferry across the Firth of Forth.
Kinghorn		Kinghorn is a modest port on the north shore of the Firth of Forth which is home to a ferry to the Lothians. The town has a hospice for the poor.
Kinross		Here is a modest sized village known for its royal hostelry. It is a crossroads, sitting on the major north-south road between Perth and Edinburgh. It is controlled by Loch Leven Castle, which is held for Malcolm III Canmore.
Leven		This is a tiny village whose only purpose is to support the parish church which serves all of the surrounding region.
Linlithgow		This is an ancient but small town with a fortress. It is a favored residence of the Scottish kings.
Markinch		Markinch is the burgh of barony of Dalgynch. On the northern outskirts of the town stands the old Celtic Stob Cross which marks the limits of sanctuary of Markinch Church. The parish church stands on the site of a preaching station said to have been established towards the end of the 6th Century by St Drostan, a nephew of St Columba. On Markinch Hill are a series of terraces which some say the Romans built.
Newburgh		Newburgh is a small port village. Nearby is the Abbey of Lindores.
Perth		The town is location at an important crossing of the River Tay at the highest point of the tidal water. It was occupied by the Romans who established a camp at Bertha to the north of the present town. This is by far the largest town and the economic center in the area.
Scone		This is a modest town with an old Celtic church. Scone Palace holds the Stone of Destiny (aka the Stone of Scone, Lia Fail, and the Coronation Stone). Scottish kings are crowned on this stone.
Seamylnes		This is a small port village which operates ferries across the Firth of Tay to Invergowrie and Dundee.
St. Andrews		This modest sized town is sited on the headlandof Kinrimund ("Head of the King's Mount"). It is the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. In about 345 AD St. Rule landed here with the bones of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. By the 8th Century, the city was the object of pilgrimages from all over Scotland. The town is slowly developing into a center of trade. St. Andrews as been defined as the residence of a "Baron Fredrick" (yep, that's a Scottish name!) who controls the land were the "Monolith" is located.
Uachdarmuc		A tiny village whose name means the "high ground of the wild boar" is adjacent to woods and swamps which are the scenes of royal boar hunts.
Victoria		This is a village along the River Earn where the broad valley of Strathearn narrows at the confluence of the Ruchill Water and River Lednock with the River Earn. In 79 AD Agricola built one of his Highland line of forts here and named the place. It later developed as a kirktown known for weaving. [Current name is Comrie.]

Features & Geography Map ^

Location Description

Loch Leven Loch Leven has a circumference of 10 miles and is the largest lowland loch in Scotland. The loch is famed for its brown and rainbow trout fishing. On the largest island, St. Serf's Island, is a priory. On Castle Island stands Loch Leven Castle.

Lomond Hills The Lomond Hills dominate the skyline for miles around and separate the Kinross basin in the west from Fife in the east. The two highest peaks, which are of volcanic origin, are West Lomond (1,712 feet) and East Lomond (1,471 feet). The western scarp slope of the Bishop Hill, which overlooks Loch Leven, rises to 1,492 feet. Iron Age remains have been found on West and East Lomond and a fine example of a hill fort can be found midway between the two at Maiden Castle.

Ochil Hills A range of hills in Central Scotland, the Ochil Hills extend for more than 24 miles eastwards from Dunblane and Bridge of Allan in Stirling through, Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross and into Fife where it tails off eastwards along the south side of the River Tay. Largely comprising volcanic andesite from the Devonian period, the highest point in the range is Ben Cleuch which rises to 2,363 feet. The steep sided north-facing slopes of the range are the result of the Ochil Hills geological fault which caused the subsidence of land now forming the Clackmannanshire plain. Associated with the volcanic rocks of the Ochil Hills are deposits of copper and silver.

Location		Description
Loch Leven		Loch Leven has a circumference of 10 miles and is the largest lowland loch in Scotland. The loch is famed for its brown and rainbow trout fishing. On the largest island, St. Serf's Island, is a priory. On Castle Island stands Loch Leven Castle.
Lomond Hills		The Lomond Hills dominate the skyline for miles around and separate the Kinross basin in the west from Fife in the east. The two highest peaks, which are of volcanic origin, are West Lomond (1,712 feet) and East Lomond (1,471 feet). The western scarp slope of the Bishop Hill, which overlooks Loch Leven, rises to 1,492 feet. Iron Age remains have been found on West and East Lomond and a fine example of a hill fort can be found midway between the two at Maiden Castle.
Ochil Hills		A range of hills in Central Scotland, the Ochil Hills extend for more than 24 miles eastwards from Dunblane and Bridge of Allan in Stirling through, Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross and into Fife where it tails off eastwards along the south side of the River Tay. Largely comprising volcanic andesite from the Devonian period, the highest point in the range is Ben Cleuch which rises to 2,363 feet. The steep sided north-facing slopes of the range are the result of the Ochil Hills geological fault which caused the subsidence of land now forming the Clackmannanshire plain. Associated with the volcanic rocks of the Ochil Hills are deposits of copper and silver.

Other Sites Map ^

Location Description

Balbirnie This appears to be an ancient burial mound. Ten stones circle a mound in which there are four cists, each covered by a large stone. The southeast cover stone is decorated with cup-and-ring markings.

Balfarg This is a henge comprised of a broad ditch and an internal platform. There is a low bank round the ditch and a single entrance on the west side. A circle of 16 modest sized standing stones is on the platform. Inside the stone circle is a large slab which is said to cover a young male person buried in a pit.

Fowlis A cairn 16 feet in diameter is surrounded by 12 stones. One of the edge stones is decorated with cup marks in its inner face.

Lundin On a flat area are three tall and irregularly shaped standing stones. They are made of red sandstone. Ancient burials have been found in cists around the stones. [This is a modern name.]

Monzie Here a large stone slab profusely carved with cup and ring markings lies to the southwest of a circle of low boulders. Fifteen stones are set in a ring which is approximately 16 feet in diameter. The outlying stone is connected to the circle by a causeway. A cist is situated eccentrically within the circle and contains the cremated bones of an adult and a child, plus fragments of white quartz. A few hundred yards to the west there is a single 5 foot tall standing stone, called the "Witches' Stone".

Newbigging A boulder measuring approximately 6 feet by 3 feet is decorated with at least 37 cup marks. Some of these are surrounded by one or multiple concentric rings and the decorations are also enclosed within a kind of linear frame. [This appears to be a modern location name.]

Sandy Road In a forest near Scone is a small stone circle. It is about 18 feet in diameter and its seven stones are graded in height, with the tallest to the southwest. To the east is a second, similar circle. An urn with ashes is buried in a small pit at the center of the ring. [This is a modern location name.]

Tealing This is a subterranean passage grave, about 80 feet long and 8 feet wide. It is curved in shape and seems to have been once divided into two compartments. The floor, where not natural rock, is paved. In the north wall, 2 feet from the entrance, there is a cup and ring marked stone.

Traprain Law Here there is an ancient Votadini hillfort, now long abandoned. It was used by the Romans, and treasures have been found there.

Location		Description
Balbirnie		This appears to be an ancient burial mound. Ten stones circle a mound in which there are four cists, each covered by a large stone. The southeast cover stone is decorated with cup-and-ring markings.
Balfarg		This is a henge comprised of a broad ditch and an internal platform. There is a low bank round the ditch and a single entrance on the west side. A circle of 16 modest sized standing stones is on the platform. Inside the stone circle is a large slab which is said to cover a young male person buried in a pit.
Fowlis		A cairn 16 feet in diameter is surrounded by 12 stones. One of the edge stones is decorated with cup marks in its inner face.
Lundin		On a flat area are three tall and irregularly shaped standing stones. They are made of red sandstone. Ancient burials have been found in cists around the stones. [This is a modern name.]
Monzie		Here a large stone slab profusely carved with cup and ring markings lies to the southwest of a circle of low boulders. Fifteen stones are set in a ring which is approximately 16 feet in diameter. The outlying stone is connected to the circle by a causeway. A cist is situated eccentrically within the circle and contains the cremated bones of an adult and a child, plus fragments of white quartz. A few hundred yards to the west there is a single 5 foot tall standing stone, called the "Witches' Stone".
Newbigging		A boulder measuring approximately 6 feet by 3 feet is decorated with at least 37 cup marks. Some of these are surrounded by one or multiple concentric rings and the decorations are also enclosed within a kind of linear frame. [This appears to be a modern location name.]
Sandy Road		In a forest near Scone is a small stone circle. It is about 18 feet in diameter and its seven stones are graded in height, with the tallest to the southwest. To the east is a second, similar circle. An urn with ashes is buried in a small pit at the center of the ring. [This is a modern location name.]
Tealing		This is a subterranean passage grave, about 80 feet long and 8 feet wide. It is curved in shape and seems to have been once divided into two compartments. The floor, where not natural rock, is paved. In the north wall, 2 feet from the entrance, there is a cup and ring marked stone.
Traprain Law		Here there is an ancient Votadini hillfort, now long abandoned. It was used by the Romans, and treasures have been found there.

Roads Map ^

"Roads" really isn't the correct term for the pathways which link most Scottish locations in the time setting of the campaign. A few never-maintained Roman secondary roads still exist, but the most common "road" is simply a worn path which follows the line of least resistance between any two points. The roads indicated on the map are those which are in good enough shape for regular travel and the use of carts without severe restrictions.

Note also that the locations at which the roads cross the major waterways (those significant enough to be included on the map) may be the only places where the rivers are fordable or have been bridged.

Campaign Information Map ^

This section contains information about fictional things defined within the campaign or by campaign play. Everything in this section, unless specifically stated otherwise, is fiction.

Location Description

Caergroth The small village which Gizella's goblins raided. It is now abandoned.

Gizella's Temple An ancient stone temple set in a hillside. It is now inhabited by faeries led by someone known as "Gizella".

Monolith A large (7 feet tall) stone stands beside a path. It is surrounded by a regio. Within the regio the stone appears as a finely carved statue of a large man in ancient armor.

Vis Cave A narrow cave which fronts the Firth of Forth. Deep inside is a large cavern which periodically contains vis. A large aquatic lizard [in Scotland?] lives in a pool at the back of the cavern. [This is the covenant's contested vis source. Domnall mac Sernach is convinced that this is the dreaded Indonesian Cave Lizard of legends, but the GM isn't so certain.]

Location		Description
Caergroth		The small village which Gizella's goblins raided. It is now abandoned.
Gizella's Temple		An ancient stone temple set in a hillside. It is now inhabited by faeries led by someone known as "Gizella".
Monolith		A large (7 feet tall) stone stands beside a path. It is surrounded by a regio. Within the regio the stone appears as a finely carved statue of a large man in ancient armor.
Vis Cave		A narrow cave which fronts the Firth of Forth. Deep inside is a large cavern which periodically contains vis. A large aquatic lizard [in Scotland?] lives in a pool at the back of the cavern. [This is the covenant's contested vis source. Domnall mac Sernach is convinced that this is the dreaded Indonesian Cave Lizard of legends, but the GM isn't so certain.]

Updated: 4 September 2005