History of Scotland

From the formation of Scotland around 450 million BC to the arrival of animals (c.10,000 BC) and man (c.7,000 BC), much of Scotland's early history is open to speculation, albeit based on scientific discoveries and analysis. It was the arrival of the Romans in 80 AD that the first recorded history of Scotland and its inhabitants too place.

In the 14th century, John Fordun (c.1320-c.1384) wrote Chronica Gentis Scotorum, a five part history of Scotland up to the death of David I in 1153. These were first published some time around 1360 and Fordun had collected further material for another book. The series was continued by Walter Bower (c.1385-1449) who was born in Haddington and, from 1418, was the Abbot of Inchcolm. Bower completed the sixth book and added another eleven; he also added to the original five books. The work was completed in 1447, taking the history up to the death of James I in 1437, and became known as the Scotichronicon.

Below is an attempt to put the different periods of Scottish history in to context:

• 80 - c.430 - A period of Roman occupation in Britain, including the southern part of Scotland.
• 401 - 1058 - The nation is divided into four major kingdoms - those of the Picts in the north; the Scots of Dalriada in the west; the Britons of Strathclyde in the southwest; and the Anglo-Saxons in the southeast.
• 1058 - 1286 - The Scottish kingdoms are united and a period of relative peace follows.
• 1286 - 1371 - This was a period of turmoil in the history of Scotland, starting with the death of Alexander III.
• 1371 - 1625 - The time of the early Stewart kings.
• 1625 - 1685 - The time of the later Stuart kings.
• 1685 - 1760 - The period of Jacobite Risings in support of the deposed James VII/II.
• 1760 - 1901 - The time of the Clearances from the Highlands.
• 1901 - date - The 20th century and beyond!

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