This antique map, titled ‘Sovtherlandia’ and created in 1665, depicts the region of Sutherland in the north of Scotland. The title translates to ‘Southland’, which may seem confusing as Sutherland is located in the far north of Scotland. However, this is because the name originates from the Old Norse language and refers to the southern area of the Norse colony in the region.
In the early 17th century, the United Kingdom was still in its infancy, with the Union of the Crowns between England and Scotland only occurring in 1603. The country was ruled by King James I (also known as James VI of Scotland) who faced many challenges during his reign, including religious conflicts and political tensions.
The economy of the UK at this time was largely based on agriculture, with the wool trade being particularly important. Scotland was known for its production of wool, while England had a more diverse economy that included manufacturing and trade.
The map of Sutherland created in
