Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History
For a geographically isolated place, Scotland has had a substantial share of incursions, im-
migrations and territorial struggles, and has been subjected to influences from the Romans,
the Norse lands, Ireland, France and, of course, England.
From the decline of the Vikings onwards, Scottish history has been predictably and often
violently bound to that of its southern neighbour. Battles and border raids were common-
place until shared kingship, then political union, drew the two together. Even then, Jacobite
risings asserted a widely felt desire for freedom, which was finally partially realised with
the devolution of the late 20th century.
Scotland's misty prehistory has left outstanding monuments,
particularly in the northern islands, but the first outside referen-
ce to northern Britain's inhabitants comes with the Romans,
whose struggles with the Picts caused the construction of two
massive walls to keep them out.
If the Roman presence pushed formerly disparate tribes into
union, the Vikings did the same. Their incursions led the Scots
kingdom of Dalriada and the Pictish kingdom to unite, forming
Scotland.
Once Viking power was broken, a familiar story of strong
and weak monarchs, political intrigues and dynastic struggles
played out over the centuries. The Wars of Independence freed
Scotland from English interference and set up William Wallace
and Robert the Bruce as heroes.
The Stewart line established Scotland as a major European
player in Renaissance politics and art, but once James VI inherited the kingship of England,
royal attention was focused south of the border and, as fleets plied the seas to far-flung new
colonies, Scotland was left behind. Political union in the early 18th century was born of
pragmatism and widely resented. This, and the ousting of the Catholic King James in fa-
vour of his Dutch Protestant son-in-law led to widespread anger, and the Jacobite rebellions
of the 18th century attempted to wrest power back by trying to put James' son and then
grandson, Bonnie Prince Charlie, on the throne.
Defeat at Culloden spelled the end of these dreams, and of the clan system. The High-
lands had been ruled as a nation apart by clan leaders who now, stripped of power but pos-
Top Prehistoric
Sights
»Jarlshof, Shetland
»Skara Brae, Orkney
»Maes Howe, Orkney
»Kilmartin Glen, Argyll
»Callanish, Lewis
»Tomb of the Eagles, Orkney
»Scottish Crannog Centre,
Kenmore
