Articles about Scottish History and Traditions
Choose from the articles listed below to read about Scottish culture, history, famous scots and their accomplishments, and Scottish holidays.
Articles on Scottish History:
Scottish Stone Age through 843 AD (Picts, Celts, Norse and Angles) - Read about early Scotland from the Stone Age through the time of Rome and up to the crowning of the first Scots king Kenneth McAlpin.
Medieval Scotland 843 AD - 1296 AD (the Canmore kings, medieval Scotland) - Read about the formation and unification of early medieval Scotland, the influence of the Vikings, the great half-Viking war leader Somerled, and the kings of Scotland prior to England's bid to take hold of Scotland when poor little Margaret died leaving the Scots without a monarch.
Wars of Independence 1296 AD - 1603 AD (Wallace and Bruce, the Stewart kings, high medieval through Renaissance/Reformation) - Read about the Scottish War of Independence led first by William Wallace and then completed by Robert the Bruce, followed by the history of the Stewart kings (and Queen Mary) until the time James VI of Scotland was crowned also James I of England.
Scottish Uprisings 1603 AD - 1746 AD (Union of the crowns through Culloden, English Civil War and Jacobite Uprisings) - Read the sad tales of Scotland relinquishing soveriegnty to England, the unsuccessful uprisings to reestablish an independent Scotland under the Stewart heirs culminating in the crushing defeat of the Scots at Battle of Culloden.
Modern Scotland 1746 AD - Present (modern Scotland) - Read about the Scottish diaspora through the world, including emigration to America, and the 20th reemergence of Scottish nationalism, culminating in their vote for independence and the first meeting of the Scottish parliament in almost 300 years.
Articles on Scottish culture and customs:
Celtic Mythology - The early religion of the Celts of Ireland before emigration to Scotland
Celtic Christianity - Brief explanation of Celtic Christianity, how it is distinctive to Celtic culture and the value it offers to seekers today
Golf in Scotland - Brief history of golf, which was invented in Scotland
Scotch Whisky - Brief history of whisky and the process of making malt whisky
Scottish Pets - A short description and history of some of the more well-known Scottish dog and cat breeds.
Tartans and Clans - A short history of the tartan and it's use by the clans and organizations of Scotland.
Articles on Scottish Holidays:
Christmas in Scotland - An article contributed by one of our readers residing in Scotland
Halloween in Scotland - A short article on the Celtic roots of Halloween
Hogmanay - An article on the Scots' New Year's celebrations and the history of Hogmanay
Love Poems by Robert Burns - Classic Scottish love poems for Valentine's Day
Brief Biographies of Famous Scots:
Robert the Bruce - Robert I, King of Scotland, defeator of the English at Bannockburn
Robert Burns - Scotland's National Poet and Lyricist
Sean Connery - Sir Sean is a famous actor and noted Scots nationalist
MacDonalds and Campbells - Short history of the clan rivalry between MacDonalds and Campbells
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Author of the classic Sherlock Holmes mysteries
Famous Scots Authors - Brief mention of several well-known authors of Scots descent
Eric Liddell - Famous Olympic runner and missionary to China
Rob Roy MacGregor - Short history of Clan MacGregor and their famous son, Rob Roy
Charles Rennie Mackintosh - Famous Scots artist, prominent in the Arts and Crafts movement
Sir Walter Scott - Classic author of Ivanhoe, "Father of Historical Fiction"
Adam Smith - Great economist still referenced today
Robert Louis Stevenson - Author of classic children's books Treasure Island and Kidnapped
Mary, Queen of Scots - She lost her head and fled to England (actually, she fled to England and thereby lost her head)
William Wallace - Braveheart, National Hero of Scotland, icon of Scottish nationalism
