"English", as it was spoken before, came to the British Isles during the 5th century AD when different Germanic tribes came to the islands. The tribes settled along the eastern shores of Britain, at the same time as another nation was formed in the west, where Ireland is today. The people of the "Irish" part of the isles were called Scoti by the Romans, therefor the name Scotland was adapted when the nation of Scotland was formed.

The language of the Germanic tribes at the time was known as "Old English", but it wasn't a language of its own, rather a collection of many different dialects. The most popular dialect was the so called Language of King Alfred the Great, which was primarily spoken in the kingdom of Wessex, and it would come to be considered as the predecessor to the modern English language. However, it was the Anglian dialect, spoken throughout the north of England, that developed during the centuries into what we now call Scots.

During the 8th century the British Isles were invaded by Vikings from the North who primarily targeted and attacked the northern part of the Isles, i.e. Scotland and Northern England. Language and culture spread with the invasion and the English language in those regions are heavily influenced by the Norse language. The similarities between the Old Norse and Old English language made it easier for these languages to be combined and inspired by each other.

"The Norse" language gradually starting disappearing with the rise of Christianity in the British Isles and English was adapted as the language of the Bible and also the people. A lot of the literature and the "religious life" of Scotland during that time was presented in English, thus making the language the primarily spoken by the people, but the Norse language has left a mark with many unique words in the "Scotish English".