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 Jacobite Revolts: Chronology
On 23rd July 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on the Isle of Eriskay off the west coast of Scotland. This was the start of the ‘Forty-Five’ Jacobite Rebellion which culminated in the last major battle to be fought on British soil…
The Darien Scheme
Some have said: ‘The Darien Venture was the most ambitious colonial scheme attempted in the 17th century…’ The Scots were the first to realise the strategic importance of the area… ” Whilst others claimed: “They were plain daft to try…
King James I and VI of Scotland
After the death of Elizabeth I, James VI of Scotland, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, became King James I of England, Scotland, and Ireland, thereby uniting the thrones of Scotland and England…
Sir William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs
William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs was a physicist, mathematician and scientist whose achievements, discoveries and inventions have left their mark on the world to this very day…
The Four Marys: Mary Queen of Scots’ Ladies in Waiting
The four Marys, as they became known, were the companions and ladies-in-waiting of Mary, Queen of Scots: Mary Seton, Mary Beaton, Mary Fleming and Mary Livingston. In 1548, the four Marys joined their Queen at Inchmahome Priory in preparation for their journey to France. The journey to France from Scotland was…
St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland
Read about the life of St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland. It is said that he believed himself unworthy to be crucified on a cross like that of Christ, and so he met his end on…
John Knox and the Scottish Reformation
The famous Scottish Reformer, John Knox was born near Edinburgh in 1505. Knox’s writings and his determination to fight for Scotland to be Protestant saw the Scottish nation and its identity changed forever…
Imprisoned and Punished – The Female Relatives of Robert Bruce
Robert The Bruce’s female relatives paid a heavy price during the First War of Scottish Independence. They were imprisoned in barbaric conditions, placed under house arrest and sent to convents by the English King Edward I – just because they shared “a common danger of loyalty” to the newly crowned King of Scotland, Robert I.
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…
