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 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…
St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland
Read about the life of St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland.
John Knox and the Scottish Reformation
The famous Scottish Reformer, John Knox was born near Edinburgh in 1505…
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…
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…
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…