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Scottish History Blog
The Scottish History Blog features short articles, news and views, places to visit, courses and recommended reading
Scottish History Blog
The establishment of the Black Watch
On 25 October 1739, the 43rd Highland Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) was established by Royal Warrant.
The regiment was formed by bringing together six Independent Highland Companies to create a regular highland line regiment...
Scottish History Blog
The raising of the Jacobite standard at Glenfinnan
On 19 August 1745, the Jacobite standard was raised at Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel in Lochaber, marking the beginning of the Jacobite Rising of 1745.
Charles Edward Stuart landed on the Isle of...
Scottish History Blog
RAF Oban: Flying boat base during the Second World War
RAF Oban was a Royal Air Force flying boat base located in Ardantrive Bay at the northern end of the Isle of Kerrera, on the opposite side of Oban Bay from the town of...
Scottish History Blog
The Capitulation of Irvine
Following a standoff between Scottish and English forces at Irvine in July 1297, the leaders of the Scottish army who were in revolt against Edward I submitted to the English commanders in what became...
Scottish History Blog
The first muster of the Black Watch at Aberfeldy
In May 1740, the 43rd Highland Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) mustered for the first time on the banks of the River Tay at Aberfeldy.
The regiment had been established by Royal Warrant on 25...
Scottish History Blog
The Ardeer Company and the defence of Nobel’s Explosive Factory
In November 1912, Nobel's Explosive Factory at Ardeer in Ayrshire formed a company of reserve soldiers from their workforce to guard the site in the event of war with Germany. The Ardeer Company was...
Scottish History Blog
The sinking of HMS Dasher
On 27 March 1943, Royal Navy Avenger-class escort carrier HMS Dasher (D37) suffered a major internal explosion and sank in the Firth of Clyde, midway between the Isle of Arran and Ardrossan.
The vessel was built by the...
Scottish History Blog
Tartan was not banned after Culloden
The Dress Act 1746, also known as the Disclothing Act, was a part of the Act of Proscription which was introduced by the government after the defeat of the 1745 Jacobite Rising at Culloden....
Scottish History Blog
When the Jacobites fined the town of Paisley
On 29 December 1745, a summons was issued by Charles Edward Stuart from Glasgow to the magistrates of Paisley demanding that the town pay a £1,000 fine for raising a militia regiment against the...
Scottish History Blog
The Humbie Heinkel
On 28 October 1939, a Heinkel He 111 bomber was intercepted by Spitfires of No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron and No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron and shot down near the village of Humbie...
Scottish History Blog
Butter Bridge in Glen Kinglas
Butter Bridge stands in the shadow of Beinn Ime and crosses the gently flowing Kinglas Water in Glen Kinglas, Argyll. The bridge was built in 1749 as part of Major William Caulfeild's military road...
Scottish History Blog
The Scottish Highland Clans: Origins, Decline and Transformation
The Highland, Gaelic-speaking clans are a vital part of Scotland’s history. They also shape how the world imagines Scotland today.
This course uses the expertise of University of Glasgow academics to explain the structure, economy...
Scottish History Blog
Rout of Moy during the Jacobite ’45
On the night of 16-17 February 1746, a government force of around 1,500 from the 64th Highlanders and the Independent Highland Companies under the command of John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, attempted to...
Scottish History Blog
Tummel Bridge
Tummel Bridge is situated at the western end of Loch Tummel in Perthshire and was built in 1730 to carry Lieutenant-General George Wade’s Crieff to Dalnacardoch military road across the River Tummel.
General Wade in...
Scottish History Blog
Recommended books on the Wars of Scottish Independence
With numerous books covering the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296-1357) here is a list of the most essential reading for those interested in the period.
Bannockburn: The Scottish War and the British Isles, 1307-1323 by...
Scottish History Blog
The Jacobite burning of Strathearn
From 25-29 January 1716, in the midst of a bitter winter, the Jacobites burned the Strathearn villages of Auchterarder, Blackford, Dalreoch, Crieff, Dunning, and Muthill after driving out the inhabitants in an attempt to...
Scottish History Blog
Recommended books on the Jacobites
There are many books covering the Jacobite period and this list shares the most essential reading for those interested in the period from the Revolution of 1688 to the battle of Culloden and beyond.
Fight...
Scottish History Blog
Early Modern Scottish Palaeography: Reading Scotland’s Records
Explore Scottish history and learn more about using historical sources
Palaeography is the study of ancient handwriting and a vital skill in the historian’s toolkit. It is essential when conducting research on early modern Scotland...
Scottish History Blog
80th anniversary of the Royal Marines Commandos marked at Spean Bridge
Hundreds of commandos gathered in Lochaber to mark the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Marines Commandos.
The gathering took place at the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge in the heart of Commando...
Scottish History Blog
Balfour Stone at Killiecrankie
The Balfour Stone in the Pass of Killiecrankie supposedly marks the grave and the spot where Brigadier Barthold Balfour was killed while trying to rally Scottish government troops fleeing the battle of Killiecrankie on...
Scottish History Blog
How a bad case of flatulence saw the Macleans gain the lands of Ardgour
In the 1430s, while residing at Ardtornish and ill with an upset stomach which caused him 'not to smell well', Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles was visited by his barons. During the meeting,...
Scottish History Blog
The Execution of James Renwick
James Renwick was a Scottish Presbyterian minister who became the last of the prominent Covenanter martyrs of Scotland. He was executed on 17 February 1688 for his resistance to the religious policies of King...
Scottish History Blog
Battle of Glen Fruin
The Battle of Glen Fruin was a Scottish clan battle fought on 7 February 1603 between the Clan Gregor (or MacGregor) and its allies on one side, and the Clan Colquhoun and its allies...
Scottish History Blog
Roman marching camps in Scotland
Scotland is truly fortunate in the number and range of Roman marching camps already identified here, and without a shadow of doubt, many more remain to be discovered in the years to come.
Marching camps...
Scottish History Blog
HES COVID-19 Sector Survey Reports
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published reports of three surveys looking at what impact Covid-19 had on the historic environment, from 2020-2021.
Their most recent survey looks at the impact of Covid-19 on the historic...
Scottish History Blog
Volunteers sought for NLS map transcription projects
Over the next few months the National Library of Scotland (NLS) is looking for volunteers to help with a set of new collaborative projects to transcribe features and text from maps.
NLS is hoping to gather all...
Scottish History Blog
Online Course: The Life and Afterlife of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots was born and ascended to the throne of Scotland in 1542, before being forced to abdicate in 1567. She was married three times, first to the king of France, and...
Scottish History Blog
James Wolfe and the Gorbals Fire of 1749
On the evening of 4 June 1749, a devastating fire raged through the Gorbals area of Glasgow. Stationed in the city was Lord George Sackville's Regiment of Foot who assisted with the fire-fighting and...
Scottish History Blog
The Scots at Marston Moor
In a field west of York near Long Marston the combined forces of the Scottish Army of the Solemn League and Covenant, reinforced by Lord Fairfax and the Earl of Manchester’s separate local English...
Scottish History Blog
The Battle of Haddon Rig
The battle of Haddon Rig, fought on 24 August 1542, came as a consequence of European politics. Recently faced with the threat of war to replace the schismatic English King Henry VIII by the...
Scottish History Blog
The Cromwellian Fort of Ayr
In 1652 following military defeat and the declaration of a Commonwealth between England and Scotland, English occupation forces began the construction of fortified posts to hold down a war-weary yet hostile Scots population. While...
Scottish History Blog
Bochastle Roman Fort
The Roman fort at Bochastle, just outside Callander, is situated on the south bank of Garbh Uisge (River Leny) and was established in AD 85 during the governorship of Sallustius Lucullus.
Two years after Governor Gnaeus...
Scottish History Blog
Battle of Sheriffmuir
On the 13th November 1715, a Government army commanded by John Campbell, Duke of Argyll, clashed with Jacobite forces led by John Erskine, Earl of Mar, at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, outside Dunblane.
The Jacobite Rising...
Scottish History Blog
Soldier’s Leap at Killiecrankie
On the evening of 27 July 1689, Donald McBane, a Scottish government soldier fleeing the battle of Killiecrankie, is said to have jumped 18 feet across the River Garry, to escape pursuing Jacobite highlanders.
Donald...
Scottish History Blog
Crossraguel Abbey
Crossraguel Abbey sits about 2 miles south-west of the small town of Maybole, surrounded by the wonderful Ayrshire countryside.
Even in its ruined condition, Crossraguel is one of the best-preserved abbeys in Scotland. The name of...
Scottish History Blog
Lochranza Castle
The ruins of Lochranza castle stands on the shores of Loch Ranza at the north end of the Isle of Arran and enjoys views out over the Kilbrannan Sound.
The original structure that stood on...