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.
The History of the Border Reivers
The story of the Reivers dates from the 14th century and continued into the late 17th century. It concerns the border between England and Scotland, a frontier lacking law and order.
The Piob Mhor, or the Great Highland Bagpipes
Nothing defines the sound of Scotland quite like the great Highland bagpipes! How the pipes actually arrived in Scotland however, is somewhat of a mystery…
The Thistle – National Emblem of Scotland
Common in the highlands, islands and lowlands of Scotland, the prickly purple thistle has been Scotland’s national emblem for centuries. The thistle, which grows to a height of five feet, has no natural enemies because of the vicious spines that cover it.
The History of Scottish Shortbread
The story of shortbread begins with the medieval “biscuit bread”. Any leftover dough from bread making was dried out in…
The Highland Clans
The word “clann” comes from the Gaelic and means children, and its members claimed kinship from the common ancestor whose name they bore, and even the poorest clansman considered themselves of nobler birth than any southerner.
The Secret of a Scotsman’s Sporran
An essential piece of Highland dress to accompany a Scotsman’s kilt is the ornately decorated pouch that hangs down the front, commonly referred to as the sporran. But where did the sporran originate and what was its purpose?
Rob Roy MacGregor
In Victorian times, people were enthralled by the novels of Sir Walter Scott, who portrayed a man called Rob Roy in one of his stories… a dashing and chivalrous outlaw. The truth was a little less glamorous, of course.
William Wallace and Robert The Bruce
There are two men whose names were a clarion call to all Scots. Robert the Bruce, who took up arms against both Edward I and Edward II and united the Highlands and Lowlands in a fierce battle for liberty: and a humble Lowland knight, Sir William Wallace.
The Story of Burke and Hare
The story of Burke and Hare, infamous grave-robbers and murderers in 19th century Edinburgh.
Sawney Bean – Scotland’s most famous cannibal
Five Hollywood films have featured a character known as Hannibal Lecter, otherwise known as Hannibal the Cannibal. If legend is to be believed, when compared with the exploits of Sawney Bean, it may be more appropriate to call him Hannibal the pussycat!