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.
The Life and Spirit of Bonnie Scot Hugh Mercer
Doctor, Jacobite and Brigadier General, Hugh Mercer was a great friend of George Washington. He fought the English and Hanoverian forces at Culloden and then again during the American Revolutionary War…
The Science Church
In 1843, 474 evangelical ministers broke away from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland in what became known as the Great Disruption. This new evangelical, fundamentalist Free Kirk was partly shaped by pioneers in photography, industry, engineering and science…
IRN-BRU, Made In Scotland From Girders
To many Scots, the iconic and radioactive rust-coloured beverage IRN-BRU is not only a harbinger of home and comfort, but the only hangover cure that actually works!
The Tobermory Galleon
Take one Spanish princess, a handsome local chieftain, and a jealous wife; add a heap of alluring Spanish gold, some supernatural cats and malevolent witches; season with an English spy or two, and stir into an explosive mix…
Fergus McFerchard, Legendary Ruler of Scotland
Fergus I, or Fergus MacFerchard is the legendary founding ruler of Scotland, the “first king of Scotland”. He is said to have come to Scotland from Ireland about 330 B.C. to help the Scots repel attacks from the Picts and Britons, and is credited with bringing the Stone of Destiny to Scotland.
Helen Gloag, Sultan’s Wife
The extraordinary life of Helen Gloag, dubbed “Empress of Morocco”, a Scottish blacksmith’s daughter who became a Sultan’s wife.
Grierson of Lag
Scotland is a land of myths, ghosts, kelpies, spirits and the supernatural, The story of Robert Grierson of Lag, the 1st Baronet of Lag is one of the eeriest such tales. Robert Grierson is best known for his brutal treatment of the Presbyterian Scots of southwest Scotland during the “Killing Times” at the end of the seventeenth century…
Colliers and Salters: Scottish Slaves
‘So recently as 1799 there were slaves in this country. Twenty-five years before, that is, in 1775, there must have been thousands of them; for this was the condition of all our colliers and salters. They were literal slaves…’ So noted Lord Cockburn in his memoirs in 1830. He was referring to Scotland…
The Strange, Sad Fate Of James IV Of Scotland
James IV (1473-1513) was Scotland’s Renaissance king. Potentially as influential and powerful as his neighbouring monarchs Henry VII and Henry VIII of England, James IV was destined to die at the famous, or infamous, Flodden Field, along with the flower of Scotland’s nobility …
