Cattle as currency

---

In the absence of coinage, cattle would have been almost a form of currency in 11th century Alba. Certainly they were a source and an expression of wealth. Although the balance changes over time and varies geographically, the proportions of the main farmed species were probably -
    º 50% Cattle
    º 30% Sheep
    º 20% Pigs

Pigs could be left to forage, especially in woodland, but cattle and sheep needed reasonable quality arable lands.

Scottish coinage

The first Scottish coins date from the reign of King David I (1124 - 1153), in other words 100 years after Macbeth's reign. Prior to David I's reign there were few coins in Scotland though some Anglo Saxon coins have been found. Where then did Macbeth get the wealth he is said to have 'scattered like seed to the poor' during his pilgrimage to Rome in 1050? Perhaps through trading agricultural or other produce, or maybe he sold off some of the family silver!

Population

We have no way of calculating an accurate figure for the population of Alba in the 11th century. Estimates for the population of Scotland in 1300 range from 500,000 to 1 million so a reasonable guess for Macbeth's time might be between three and five hundred thousand, spread in extended family groups in small communities or 'touns' scattered across an agricultural landscape.

Highland Cows