The New Edinburgh History of Scotland consists of ten volumes that examine the evolution of Scotland as a political entity from its earliest days to contemporary times. Each volume integrates a chronological narrative with analytical precision, providing a comprehensive and approachable overview of a specific era in Scottish history. To date seven volumes have been published by Edinburgh University Press.
From Caledonia to Pictland, Scotland to 795 | James E. Fraser (2009)
From Caledonia to Pictland explores the evolution of Iron Age northern Britain into a region characterized by Christian kingdoms, predating the emergence of ‘Scotland’. Situated on the periphery of the western Roman Empire, northern Britain was influenced by this experience and became part of the broader developments that shaped the early medieval West. Similar to other regions, it underwent social and ethnic changes, embraced Christianization, and faced colonization by displaced groups. However, northern Britain possesses a distinct narrative to share regarding the first eight centuries AD.
This book represents the first comprehensive political history to consider these centuries as a cohesive period, while also acknowledging Scotland’s role within the larger context of late Antique transition. From Caledonia to Pictland delineates the intricate and often obscure processes that led to the establishment of the Picts, Northumbrians, North Britons, and Gaels in early Scottish history, highlighting the accomplishments of their prominent political leaders and their enduring connections with the surrounding world. This narrative has been significantly revised in light of evolving scholarly perspectives on the complex evidence, and this transformation is elucidated for the benefit of both students and general readers.
From Pictland to Alba, 789-1070 | Alex Woolf (2007)
In the 780s, northern Britain was primarily under the influence of two significant kingdoms: Pictavia, located in the northeastern part of Scotland, and Northumbria, which extended across the contemporary Anglo-Scottish border. Within a century, both kingdoms faced turmoil due to Viking invasions, and within two centuries, they had faded into obscurity. This book examines the evolution of the political landscape in northern Britain from the eighth to the eleventh centuries.
A key focus of this narrative is the enigmatic vanishing of the Picts and their language, alongside the abrupt emergence of the Gaelic-speaking Scots, who would succeed them as the rulers of the North. From Pictland to Alba utilizes the limited historical sources that have survived from this challenging era in Scottish history to navigate the complexities that may confuse the unwary reader. Significant sources are presented in their entirety, and their evidential worth is meticulously analysed and assessed. Unlike many other works addressing this period, this book transparently outlines its methodology and invites readers to draw their own conclusions regarding the origins of Scotland.
Domination and Lordship, Scotland 1070-1230 | Richard Oram (2011)
This volume focuses on the period commonly referred to as the ‘Making of the kingdom’ or the ‘Anglo-Norman’ period in Scottish history. It aims to strike a balance between the traditional historiographical emphasis on the ‘feudalisation’ of Scottish society, which is often viewed as a result of the extensive introduction of foreign cultural practices by a ‘modernising’ monarchy, and the more contemporary focus on the enduring significance and prominence of Gaelic culture and traditions during the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries.
Part I investigates the transformation from the Gaelic kingship of Alba to a hybrid medieval state, highlighting Scotland’s dual role as both a subject and a sovereign power. It analyzes the reconfiguration of relationships with England, the Gaelic nobility within Scotland’s traditional core regions, and the interactions with independent mainland and insular entities. These interconnections serve as the focal point for examining the contest for political supremacy over the northern mainland of Britain and its surrounding islands, as well as the methods through which this dominance was asserted and manifested.
Part II presents a thematic analysis of key elements of society and culture in Scotland from the late eleventh to the early thirteenth century, which contributed to the identity and foundation of the emerging kingdom. It explores the gradual development of Scottish economic systems, shifts in the management of land resources, and the ways in which secular power and authority were obtained and exercised. These topics are further elaborated through discussions on the rise of urban communities and the establishment of a new noble class in the twelfth century. Additionally, the role of religion is examined, both in terms of the Church’s institutional development and the religious experiences of the lay populace.
The Wars of Scotland, 1214-1371 | Michael Brown (2004)
The Wars of Scotland chronicles a crucial era in Scottish history spanning from 1214 to 1371. This period, marked by the death of King William the Lion and the rise of the Stewarts, saw significant transformations in the kingdom’s internal dynamics and its role within the broader European context. The initial decades of this timeframe appeared to be characterized by the consolidation of a distinct Scottish realm; however, the ensuing crises that affected both the monarchy and the populace led to a landscape of warfare and shifting allegiances, fundamentally altering fourteenth-century Scotland.
This book offers the first comprehensive examination of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries as a cohesive timeframe of both evolving and disintegrating political structures and communities. The Wars of Scotland presents a political narrative that situates events within their immediate historical context while also addressing specific themes and groups in dedicated chapters. Furthermore, it introduces a fresh analysis of Scotland’s stability and unity as a realm and community, as well as the effects of warfare and dynastic turmoil on a Medieval state.
Scotland Re-formed, 1488-1587 | Jane Dawson (2007)
The narrative presented by Jane Dawson spans the period from the demise of James III to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, offering a comprehensive view of Scotland through the lens of its diverse regions and the experiences of individual Scots, while also reflecting insights from the royal court. In “Scotland Re-formed,” Dawson illustrates the evolution of the nation as the dynamics between the church and the crown shifted, leading to a convergence, merger, and eventual divergence of these two pivotal institutions, which fundamentally transformed the governance of Scotland. The societal landscape underwent significant changes, particularly with the emergence of feuars, new landholders who became essential to the rural fabric of Scotland.
The Reformation Crisis of 1559-60 marked the establishment of a Protestant Kirk, an institution that would profoundly impact the lives of Scots for generations, alongside a diplomatic shift that abandoned the ‘auld alliance’ and intertwined Scotland’s future with that of the British Isles. Despite the decline of the pre-Reformation church resulting in a loss of patronage that adversely affected Scottish music and art, new cultural expressions emerged, often reflecting Protestant values or adapting to secular contexts. Amidst the tumultuous events and gradual shifts in cultural, social, economic, political, and religious spheres, by 1587, many aspects of life remained reminiscent of 1488, with Scots maintaining a deep connection to their land through a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Industry, Reform and Empire, Scotland 1790-1880 | Iain Hutchison (2020)
The remarkable and extensive transformations that Scotland underwent in the century following 1790 were unprecedented and altered the nation beyond recognition. What was, in the late eighteenth century, a sparsely populated rural community had evolved by the 1880s into a densely populated, highly urbanized, and heavily industrialized society. The initial section of Iain Hutchison’s insightful examination of these decades outlines the demographic, economic, and social shifts that were central to these significant changes. It captures the experiences of Scots from diverse backgrounds – Lowlanders and Highlanders, landowners, tenants, artisans, and entrepreneurs – as they navigated the revolutionary changes occurring around them, while also analysing the considerable social costs that frequently accompanied these developments.
Industry, Reform and Empire examines the progression of political dynamics from a repressive, reactionary, and electorally limited government prior to 1832 to a period characterized by an expanded electorate and significant institutional reforms. The author emphasizes the transformative effects of rapid industrialization on both the economic and social identities of urban and rural Scotland. Utilizing an extensive array of primary sources, the book uncovers the repercussions of these economic and political shifts on the structure of Scottish society, including the upheavals they instigated within Presbyterianism, which ultimately led to the Disruption of 1843
Impaled Upon a Thistle, Scotland since 1880 | Ewen A. Cameron (2010)
Ewen Cameron examines the political discourse surrounding unionism, liberalism, socialism, and nationalism, as well as the evolving political dynamics between Scotland and the United Kingdom. He juxtaposes the Scottish experience with those of Ireland, Wales, and Europe, while also reflecting on the British aspects of historical transformation—such as participation in two world wars and the rise and fall of the empire – through a Scottish lens. Cameron connects political developments to broader economic, cultural, and societal trends across the nation’s diverse regions, including the borders, lowlands, highlands, and islands.
Central to this historical narrative is the growth of national self-confidence and identity, which has significantly influenced Scotland’s trajectory over the past century. In conclusion, Dr. Cameron contemplates how these forces might reshape Scotland in the current era. This book, much like the period it chronicles, is deeply rooted in political themes. The recent surge in scholarly work and publications, supported by the author’s comprehensive primary research, enhances its engaging and well-structured narrative.
