Scotland history - The history of modern-day Scotland is a complex tale. This nation has been subject to numerous attempted invasions, has continuously had to define itself in relation to its neighbors, and has a vibrant and rich culture steeped in myth and mysticism that reflects its inhabitants' complicated story. Along the way, there have been plenty of wars, fascinating stories of powerful monarchs and noble clansmen, engaging warriors like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and enlightened philosophers changing the political landscape. Whether you're a veritable expert in all things Scots, or you know little beyond tartan, highland toffee, and Burn's night tributes, let's delve a little deeper into the history of this compelling nation.
The earliest evidence we have of settlement in what is now Scotland is from around 3000 BCE. These early Mesolithic settlers were fishermen and hunters, probably reaching the area by an ancient land bridge from continental Europe. By the early second millennium BCE, there is evidence of farming, cultivating cereal crops, and keeping cattle and sheep, with settlements found along the west coast and as far north as Shetland. Most conventional histories of Scotland will start their story around the time the Romans came into contact with the British Isles. The Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century AD, adding southern Britain to their empire as the province Britannia. Here is the first instance of a running theme of myth-making, in which the Scottish people take great pride in having never been truly invaded, claiming a warrior-like spirit that runs deep in popular consciousness.
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The Romans could not subdue the north's fierce tribes, eventually building a long line of fortifications from sea to sea across the island of Britannia under Emperor Hadrian. Parts of Hadrian's Wall remain to this day. This is referred to in the nation's foundation myth, though it would be wrong to think of the land above Hadrian's Wall as a united Scottish nation during Roman times or even beyond. Scotland is derived from the Latin word Scotia, which means land of the Scots. The Scots were a Celtic people of Irish origins who settled on the west coast of Great Britain. However, these were not the only tribe to occupy land north of the wall where a wide range of cultures and languages could be observed, from Caledonians to Celts and Picts. Scottish became the lingua Franca over a period of time but had to coexist with Celtic, Gaelic, and Scandinavian languages.
As the Roman Empire collapsed, four main groups emerged that eventually united to form Scotland's Kingdom – the Picts, the Celts, the Britons, and the Anglos. From diverse backgrounds and dominating different regions, we know relatively little about this period of Scottish history. However, it is challenging to understand Scottish identity without an appreciation for this idea of a tribal melting pot. Local, regional, and dynastic identities and affiliations had more meaning and relevance than any notion of national identity during this tribal period. Identities were formed based on the specific physical geography that individuals, families, and clans found themselves in. Scotland's terrain is mostly rugged and subject to weather extremes, evoking a poetic mysticism deeply ingrained in the fiercely unique cultures of Scottish tribes. This relationship to the land is still very relevant to Scottish identity today.
In 843, Kenneth MacAlpin became king of the Picts. On assuming the throne, he crushed any resistance on his way to forming the kingdom of Alba, the precursor to the realm of Scotland. He was named King Kenneth I of Scots. A critical factor in the forming of a more unified kingdom was probably the increasingly threatening Viking raids. As the English kingdom was consolidated around this time, its kings, responding to attacks from the Vikings, found it useful to have an alliance of convenience with Alba. Here is another step in the cult of defense myth-making as unity was forged in the spirit of repelling enemies, this time the Vikings. An intriguing element of Celtic tradition is the form of succession called tanistry.
A king could be succeeded by any male member of a family group of four generations. Sometimes, a successor would be named in his predecessor's lifetime. Any expert of history will spot the potential for untoward practices here, and your predictions would be correct – this often led to many successions by the killing of one's predecessor. This is covered in Shakespeare's Macbeth, a fictionalized account of a real historical figure. Macbeth killed his cousin Duncan to claim the throne, and Macbeth, in turn, was murdered by Duncan's son, Malcolm. A considerable portion of Scotland's history and identity comes in its relationship with its southern neighbors, England. During the Middle Ages, this relationship was mostly defined by conflict and an uneasy balance of power. Another set of invaders, The Normans, conquered England in 1066. This caused many Anglo-Saxons from England to settle in the Lowlands of Scotland. Scots gradually adopted English ways during this time, with clan chiefs becoming nobles and the English language merging and even replacing some of the ancient Scottish languages.
Scotland thrived as trading networks grew increasingly sophisticated, leading to the growth of towns. Margaret, the heiress to the throne, died in 1290, leaving a power vacuum in Scotland and an opportunity for Edward I. At this time, the English throne had become increasingly powerful, resulting in Sir Edward I of England claiming he had the right to bestow Scotland's Crown. He made John de Baliol the king. However, when Edward sought help from John in his wars against the French, John instead allied with France.
This was the beginning of a 260-year alliance with England's other historical enemy – France – called the 'auld alliance.' In a fury, Edward crossed the Scottish border in 1296. He took John prisoner and proclaimed himself the King of Scotland. Rising in national unity once more in the face of an external enemy, the Scots rebelled. Sir William Wallace led them. Under his leadership, they defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, chasing the English forces across the border. However, Edward returned the following year and routed the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace was imprisoned and brutally executed. Robert the Bruce, another glorified Highland warrior, continued the struggle and fought against the English in 1314 at Bannockburn near Stirling Castle. Finally, in 1328, Edward III formally recognized Scotland's independence. The massive global success of the Hollywood blockbuster, Braveheart, in which Mel Gibson plays William Wallace in the Scottish wars of independence, has helped instill this seductive image of the Scottish as being valiant underdogs, capable of overturning the odds in the face of their mighty southern neighbors. While this may not always ring true, it certainly works as a simplistic assessment of what happened under William Wallace and Robert the Bruce's commands. Through the 15th and 16th centuries, the House of Stuart ruled Scotland. Mary Stuart, Mary Queen of Scots, became embroiled in the succession question over England's rightful ruler.
Mary's position as a Catholic heir threatened Queen Elizabeth I's precarious position as Queen of England. England had been excommunicated by the Pope, inviting Catholics to dethrone her. Mary, having been proven to be complicit in a regicidal plot, was beheaded in 1587. Her son, King James VI of Scotland, is said to have reacted calmly to his mother's execution. Upon Queen Elizabeth's death without an heir in 1603, he became king of the separate kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. England and its globe-trotting imperial expansionism ultimately outmatched Scotland. Under Cromwell and his New Model Army, England achieved decisive victories at Dunbar in 1650 and Worcester in 1651. Scotland was thus incorporated into the Commonwealth of England.
In 1707, The Act of Union brought Scotland closer to Britain. It created a single Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain from the focal point of the Palace of Westminster. While there is a perception of Scotland being subjugated under the Union, taking a back seat role in a primarily English Westminster government, Scotland's people retained their national identity, perhaps even strengthening this in the face of perceived English superiority. As an example of this, several thinkers made an indelible mark on the modern world during the Enlightenment while undoubtedly seeing themselves as Scottish. Figures like Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, Robert Burns, David Hume, and Sir Walter Scott are still lauded for their respective fields' contributions. Moving into the 20th century, Scottish regiments played significant roles in both WWI and WWII. Glasgow became a center for industry, contributing to economic growth in the country. A significant industrial achievement in the 60s was the successful drilling of oil in the North Sea, creating a substantial supporting industry in Scotland and gave the UK local access to oil for the first time. Today, Scotland has a clearly defined character and national identity. It has perpetuated its image to attract millions of visitors each year who come for varying reasons. Tourists come to taste its haggis and shortbread, drink its whiskey, delve into its folk history, sample its outstanding golf courses, get lost in its rugged mountainous Highlands, and even try to spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Its people have earned a rightful reputation for a humorous brusqueness, a hearty character that takes its root from its combative history and mystic folklore legends. Scotland's future is uncertain. Amid growing calls for independence, it was granted an Independence referendum in 2014.
By the narrowest of margins, the Scottish people voted to stay within the Union. This decision became even more contentious as the UK voted to leave the EU despite overwhelmingly pro-EU in sentiments Scotland. Going forward, the future looks set for more conflict between Scotland and England, and it remains to be seen whether we are headed for another referendum. To learn more about history check out Edubehind
