This antique map, created in 1665, is titled ‘Cathenesia Caithness’. ‘Cathenesia’ is the Latin name for Caithness, a historic county located in the far north of Scotland.

In the early 17th century, the United Kingdom was still in its infancy. The kingdoms of England and Scotland had only been united under one monarch in 1603, with the accession of James VI of Scotland to the English throne as James I. The country was still experiencing political and religious unrest, with tensions between Catholics and Protestants and ongoing conflicts with neighbouring countries. The economy was largely based on agriculture and trade, with the beginnings of the industrial revolution still several decades away.

The map itself likely depicts the county of Caithness and its surrounding areas, including the towns of Watten, Houstry, and Halkirk in the central region. However, the specifics of what can be seen on the map are not described in detail.