Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Pictish king Bridei defeats the Northumbrians at Nechtansmere in Angus, an
against-the-odds victory that sets the foundations for Scotland as a separate entity.
780
From the 780s onwards, Norsemen in longboats from Scandinavia begin to pillage the
Scottish coast and islands, eventually taking control of Orkney, Shetland and the
Western Isles.
848
Kenneth MacAlpin unites the Scottish and Pictish thrones, thus uniting Scotland north
of the Firth of Forth into a single kingdom.
1040
Macbeth takes the Scottish throne after defeating Duncan in battle. This, and the fact
that he was later killed by Duncan's son Malcolm, are the only parallels to the
Shakespeare version.
1263
Norse power, which controlled the entire western seaboard, is finally broken at the
Battle of Largs, which marks the retreat of Viking influence and eventually the handing
back of the western isles to Scotland.
1296
King Edward I marches on Scotland with an army of 30,000 men, razing ports, but-
chering citizens and capturing the castles of Berwick, Edinburgh, Roxburgh and Stirl-
ing.
1298−1305
William Wallace is proclaimed Guardian of Scotland in 1298. After Edward's force de-
feats the Scots at the Battle of Falkirk, Wallace resigns as guardian and goes into hid-
ing, but is fatally betrayed after his return in 1305.
1314
Robert the Bruce wins a famous victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn
- a victory which would turn the tide in favour of the Scots for the next 400 years.
1328
