The History of Scotland
Scotland’s history is a rich tapestry of events, from the earliest days of human habitation to the present day. Let’s embark on a journey through time to explore the fascinating history of Scotland.

Prehistoric Scotland
The earliest known occupation of Scotland by humans dates back to the Palaeolithic Era, also known as the Stone Age1. Around 4000 BC, prehistoric Scotland entered the Neolithic Era, and the Bronze Age began about 2000 BC1. The Iron Age started around 700 BC.

Roman Invasion
The recorded history of Scotland begins with the arrival of the Roman Empire in the 1st century1. The province of Britannia reached as far north as the Antonine Wall1. North of this was Caledonia, inhabited by the Picti, whose uprisings forced Rome’s legions back to Hadrian’s Wall.

Post-Roman Scotland
As Rome finally withdrew from Britain, a Gaelic tribe from Ireland called the Scoti began colonising Western Scotland and Wales1. The Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata was founded on the west coast of Scotland in the 6th century.

Rise of the Kingdom of Alba
In the following century, Irish missionaries introduced the previously pagan Picts to Celtic Christianity1. Towards the end of the 8th century, the Viking invasions began, forcing the Picts and Gaels to unite in the 9th century, forming the Kingdom of Scotland.

The Wars of Independence
When King David II died in 1371 without issue, his nephew Robert II established the House of Stuart, which would rule Scotland uncontested for the next three centuries1James VI, Stuart king of Scotland, also inherited the throne of England in 1603, becoming James I of England.

The Union of the Crowns
This Union of the Crowns of the two independent kingdoms lasted until the Acts of Union in 1707 merged the two kingdoms into a new state, the Kingdom of Great Britain1. Ruling until 1714, Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch.

Scotland’s history is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. From its early days as a land of tribes and clans, through the Roman invasions, the rise and fall of kingdoms, to its union with England, Scotland has remained a distinct and vibrant culture. Its history continues to shape its present and will undoubtedly influence its future.