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.

From outlaw to royal physician – Dr John Forrest
From body snatching to royal physician: the changing fortunes of Dr John Forrest…

Robert Watson-Watt
A plaque in a remote Warwickshire field reads… “On 26th February 1935 in the field opposite, Roberts Watson Watt and Arnold Wilkins showed for the first time in Britain that aircraft could be detected by bouncing radio waves off them. By 1939 there were 20 stations tracking aircraft at distances up to 100 miles. Later known as radar, it was this invention, more than any other, that saved the RAF from defeat in the 1940 Battle of Britain’…

Joseph Knight
The name ‘Joseph Knight’ is largely unknown, yet he played an important role in the history of Scotland, its laws and the abolition of slavery…

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…

The History of Hogmanay
Only one nation in the world can celebrate the New Year or Hogmanay with such revelry and passion – the Scots! But what are the actual origins of Hogmanay, and why should a tall dark stranger be a welcome visitor after midnight?

The Loch Ness Monster On Land
The Loch Ness monster is well known to be a water dwelling creature, but few realise that over the years it has reputedly been spotted on land…

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…