Tests on the genetic make-up of volunteers laster this month will help investigators build up a picture of the origins of the Scots.

The results will be the focus of a research project using genetics to understand relationships among the people of Scotland and their connections with their UK and European "cousins". The whole project is to be filmed for broadcast on a new TV service.

Fochabers has been picked for one of the sample groups along with Islay, Skye, Lewis and Harris and men coming forward to be tested will be able to discover if their Scottish ancestry is linked to the early Pict settlers of Scotland, the colonising Norse Vikings or to those who came across from early medieval Ireland.

Volunteers must originate from the Fochabers area and their father and grandfather must also have their roots in the village.

Scottish independent production company, Deerpark Films, and University of Edinburgh geneticist, Dr Jim Wilson, have joined forces for the unique experiment, Air a' Chuan – On the Ocean.

All of us carry an archive of our history written into our genetic code.

Dr Wilson explained: "Men carry a section of DNA called the Y chromosome which is inherited from their father and their father's father before them through the generations. The Y chromosome is the most informative section of DNA for historical work.

"We are surveying the Y chromosomes in different parts of Scotland to better understand the origins of the people in different parts of the country and how they relate to one another.

"The project aims to estimate the contributions of the Irish, Norse, Picts, Britons, Angles and others to the gene pool of different parts of Scotland and eventually to understand the ultimate origin of the Celtic-speakers."

The researchers hope to find 35 volunteers in Fochabers who are not closely related to each other. They plan to be in the village on September 25 to gather DNA.

After consenting to the study, each man will supply a sample of saliva into a special collection tube which preserves the DNA until the sample reaches the lab.

The DNA will be extracted and a number of genetic markers on the Y chromosome will then be tested to determine the genetic type of each sample and volunteers will be given information on what it means.

Those who give permission will also take part in a surname analysis relating to Y chromosome type.

Dr Wilson said: "This will allow the relationship of people in Scotland with the same surname, even from different parts of the country, to be compared to see if they are distant relatives.

Certain surnames or types of surname may have a tendency to more often be Celtic or Norse in origin.

"By taking part in this study, volunteers will find out something of their own deep ancestry, but will also contribute to the understanding of the peopling of Scotland."

Results will feature in the Air a'Chuan history series, which is being made with funding from Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig for transmission on the new Gaelic Digital Service in 2008.

Those interested in taking part or who would like more information, can call 07807 621502.

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