The History of Scotland Magazine
Every month we will feature articles relating to the history of Scotland – famous people, famous battles, famous places etc. These will build over the months into a full and intriguing insight into the history of this ancient land.
You may also be interested in our History of Britain section covering the period from the Act of Union during Queen Anne‘s reign to the modern day.
Gregor MacGregor, Prince of Poyais
In a bold scheme to defraud land investors, after fighting in the South American wars of independence Gregor MacGregor returned home, declaring himself “Cazique” (prince) of a imaginary Central American country, “Poyais”. After emigrating to MacGregor’s Poyais, nearly 200 investors died…
Tommy Douglas
Voted “the Greatest Canadian” in 2004, Tommy Douglas was in fact born in Scotland and spent most of his youth there…
Captain William Kidd
Captain Kidd can be said to be the most unfortunate pirate ever to sail the high seas! For it was his bad luck to sail as a privateer/pirate just when the rules changed and the privateer/pirate became an outlaw.
The Battle of Culloden
The last ever pitched battle to be fought on British soil took place on 16th April 1746 on Drummossie Moor…
National Monument of Scotland
Most famously called by its resident architect the “pride and poverty of us Scots”, the National Monument of Scotland is one of the iconic landmarks of Edinburgh…
The Unicorn, National Animal of Scotland
The unicorn: a mystical beast, representing both purity and innocence, power and ferocity, adopted as the national animal of Scotland in the 1300s. The unicorn is also the natural enemy of the lion, adopted by English royalty some 100 years before…
Biography of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots is perhaps the best known figure in Scotland’s history. Her life provided tragedy and romance, more dramatic than any legend.
Scotland’s First Railway
Rattling and screeching, the wooden waggon trundles down the track. On top of the wagon sits the brakeman, clutching a lever to press against one of the wooden wheels to slow the train as it approaches the bends at some speed. It is 1722 and this is the first railroad in Scotland, from Tranent to Cockenzie on the East Lothian coast…
