ancient Britons, seated, as some suppose, to the north east of the Brigantes, in the countries now called Northumberland, Merle, and the Lothians. As the Otodini are not mentioned by any of the Roman historians, but only by Ptolemy, it is uncertain whether they formed a distinct independent state, or were united with the Brigantes. They were however, a considerable people, and possessed a long tract of the sea-coast, from the river Tine to the firth of Forth. Their name is derived by Baxter from the old British words O o dincu, which signify "a high and rocky shore;" descriptive enough of their country. They were probably reduced by Agricola at the same time with their more powerful neighbours the Brigantes; but as they lived without the wall of Severus, they were, like the rest of the Maeate, engaged in frequent revolts. In the most perfect state of the Roman government in this island, the country of the Otodini made a part of the Roman province called Valentia; which comprehended all that large tract between the two walls. As this province was never long together in the peaceable possession of the Romans, they had but few stations in the country of the Otodini, except those on the line of the wall of Severus.

Various authors have derived the name of this people in various ways, and it is very differently spelled; and various opinions still seem to be entertained among the learned respecting their real situation: and it is even doubtful whether their country was in England or in Scotland. The celebrated Drummond of Hawthornden contends for the latter.