I'll give the picts another go I think. I've always found the Welsh easier to get on with myself, but to be honest I've only attempted the picts about twice anyway. I probably need to make more effort. I'm not one for rushing factions early on, so it may be that my failure to rush the scots of the map and unite pictland is the main cause. Also I've never been too big a fan of mounted crossbows either (though I do know their strengths).