Scottish history

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Argyll

Scotland's colourful and compelling history is peppered with tragic yet romantic heroes, notable fighters, innovators and politicians. Often the nation's history has been defined either by fierce internecine conflict or epic struggles with its more populous and richer neighbour, England. Yet from earliest times the influences of Ireland, Scandinavia and continental Europe have been as important, particularly in aspects of Scotland's creative and cultural development. The result has been a sophistication and ambition few associate with the land of warring clans and burning castles...

  • Prehistoric Scotland

    From Stone Age to Iron Age, with a bit of Bronze in between: the story behind Scotland's standing stones, braes and brochs.

  • The Romans

    The Romans came, saw, but never conquered Scotland. And they built two famous walls: the Antonine, and Hadrian's.

  • The Dark Ages

    Picts, Scotti, pagans and Christians; wars, marriages and deaths: the birth of Scotland was a troubled time.

  • The Middle Ages

    Famous names in Scottish history and folklore abound: this is the time of Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

  • The Reformation

    Mary Queen of Scots reigned in the troubled times of the Reformation, and married a murderer - which didn't help matters.

  • The Religious Wars

    From Charles I to William of Orange, Scotland's turmoil goes on and on.

  • The Union

    The Darien Scheme, the Glen Coe massacre, and a less-than-happy union with England.

  • The Jacobite Risings

    A time of war with the Auld Enemy, from the romance of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the atrocity of Culloden.

  • The Highland Clearances

    With the end of the clan power, the early 18th century was an infamous time in Highland history.

  • Industrialisation

    Glasgow, with its shipbuilding boom, lead the charge in Scotland's industrial revolution, but times were hard.

  • The Labour Movement

    Strikes, Socialsim, Revolution and Nationalism - the history of Scotland's labour movement from the Chartists to the TUC.

  • Towards Devolution

    The making of modern Scotland, from the birth of the SNP to the opening of the Scottish Parliament.



 
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