History of Scotland facts for kids

The History of Scotland began around 10,000 years ago. This was after the last Ice Age. People started farming around 4000 BC. This led to permanent homes. The Bronze Age began around 2000 BC. The Iron Age started around 700 BC.

Scotland's recorded history began when the Roman Empire arrived in the 1st century. The Romans called the land north of their control "Caledonia". Its people were known as "Picts", meaning "the painted ones". The Romans built walls like Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall to keep them out. But the Picts often fought back.

After the Romans left, people called the Scoti came from Ireland. They settled in western Scotland. In the 6th century, the kingdom of Dál Riata was founded. A missionary named Columba brought Celtic Christianity to the Scots and Picts.

Later, the Picts and Scots united. This happened because of Viking attacks. In the 9th century, they formed the Kingdom of Scotland. This kingdom was united under Kenneth MacAlpin and his family.

After many years, James VI, a Scottish king, also became King of England in 1603. This was called the Union of the Crowns. Scotland and England remained separate kingdoms. But they shared the same ruler. In 1707, the Act of Union officially joined the two kingdoms. They became the new state of Great Britain.

Scotland became a major center for new ideas and industries during the Scottish Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. After World War II, many industries declined. But in recent times, Scotland has seen a cultural and economic comeback. This is partly thanks to North Sea oil. There have also been big discussions about Scottish independence. A vote was held in 2014, but people chose to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Ancient Scotland: Early People and Homes

First People in Scotland

People have lived in Scotland for at least 8,500 years. This was long before written history. After the ice melted around 9600 BC, hunter-gatherers settled here. One of the oldest known camps is near Biggar. It dates back to about 8500 BC. These early people used boats and made tools from bone, stone, and antlers. The oldest house found in Britain is near South Queensferry. It's an oval wooden structure from about 8240 BC.

Farming and Stone Structures

Around 4000 BC, farming began. This meant people built permanent homes. One example is the stone house at Knap of Howar on Papa Westray. It dates from around 3500 BC. Another is the village of Skara Brae on Orkney, built about 500 years later. People also built large stone tombs called chambered cairns. Maeshowe is a famous one from around 3500 BC. Huge standing stones and circles, like those at Stenness on Orkney, were also built around 3100 BC.

Bronze Age and Iron Age Life

The Bronze Age started around 2000 BC. During this time, people began building hill forts. These were fortified hilltops where many houses could be found. Eildon Hill is an example from around 1000 BC. Round stone houses were also built, like at Jarlshof in Shetland. People also lived in crannogs. These were roundhouses built on artificial islands in lakes or rivers.

In the early Iron Age, from 700 BC, people built large circular stone buildings called Atlantic roundhouses. Later, even bigger towers called brochs were built around 200 BC. There are about 1,000 hill forts in Scotland from this time. This suggests there were many small rulers and warrior groups.

Roman Encounters: The Painted People

Early Roman Knowledge

The first stories about Scotland came from a Greek explorer named Pytheas. He sailed around Britain around 325 BC. The Romans later called the northern part of Britain "Caledonia". They knew about the Hebrides islands and the people called Caledonians. A writer named Ptolemy listed 18 tribes in Scotland. But the Romans didn't know much about the far north and west.

Roman Invasions and Walls

The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD. By 71 AD, they had reached what is now Scotland. A Roman general named Gnaeus Julius Agricola pushed his armies north. He built forts, including one at Inchtuthil. After a big victory at Mons Graupius in 84 AD, the Romans set up a frontier line. But they couldn't fully control the far north. They eventually built Hadrian's Wall in northern England to mark their border.

Around 141 AD, the Romans tried again. They built a new wall called the Antonine Wall between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. It was a turf wall about 20 feet high with nineteen forts. It stretched for 37 miles. But it was abandoned soon after 160 AD. The Romans went back to Hadrian's Wall. Roman troops did go north again several times. The emperor Septimius Severus led a large force in 209 AD. But they also pulled back to Hadrian's Wall. By the time the Romans left Britain in the 5th century, the Picts were the main power in northern Scotland. Roman influence on Scottish culture was not very lasting.

Early Kingdoms and the Rise of Alba

Scotland After the Romans

After the Romans left, Scotland was home to four main groups. In the east were the Picts. Their kingdoms stretched from the River Forth to Shetland. In the west were the Gaelic-speaking people of Dál Riata. They had strong ties to Ireland. In the south was the British Kingdom of Strathclyde. Finally, the "Angles" (English) held the kingdom of Bernicia in the south-east.

Spread of Christianity

Christianity came to Scotland through Irish-Scots missionaries. Figures like Columba were important. These missions often set up monasteries. Some scholars believe this led to a unique form of Celtic Christianity. But by the mid-7th century, most differences with Roman Christianity were resolved.

Birth of the Kingdom of Alba

Converting to Christianity helped the Pictish kingdoms become more Gaelic. The Gaelic and Pictish crowns eventually merged. This led to the rise of Kenneth MacAlpin in the 840s. His family, the House of Alpin, ruled the new kingdom. In 867 AD, Vikings took over southern Northumbria. This left the new Pictish and Gaelic kingdom almost surrounded. When Donald II died in 900 AD, he was the first to be called King of Alba. This name eventually became "Scotland".

The long rule of Constantine II (900–942/3) was key to forming the Kingdom of Alba. He helped bring Scottish Christianity in line with the Catholic Church. Later kings, like Malcolm I, expanded the kingdom. Strathclyde was added in 945.

The Dunkeld Dynasty

Duncan I became king in 1034. His rule was troubled. He was defeated and killed by Macbeth, who became king in 1040. Macbeth ruled for 17 years. Then he was overthrown by Máel Coluim, Duncan's son. Máel Coluim became King Malcolm III.

Malcolm III, known as "Canmore" (Great Chief), started the House of Dunkeld dynasty. His marriage to Margaret was very important. This marriage, and raids into England, led William the Conqueror to invade. Malcolm submitted to William. This opened the door for later English claims over Scotland.

Malcolm's successors, like David I, brought many changes. They introduced feudalism, castles, and a system of sheriffs. They also created the first royal burghs (towns) and Scottish coinage. These changes helped develop Scotland. Later kings, Alexander II and Alexander III, expanded Scottish control. They gained the Western Isles after the Battle of Largs and the Treaty of Perth in 1266.

The Wars of Independence: Fighting for Freedom

Succession Crisis and English Interference

In 1286, King Alexander III died. His only heir, his granddaughter Margaret, Maid of Norway, died four years later. This left 14 people claiming the throne. To avoid civil war, Scottish nobles asked Edward I of England to decide. Edward agreed, but first made them accept that Scotland was under his feudal control. He chose John Balliol as king in 1292. Robert the Bruce, another strong claimant, was not happy.

Edward I then tried to weaken Scotland's independence. In 1295, King John made an alliance with France, called the Auld Alliance.

Wallace, Bruce, and Victory

In 1296, Edward invaded Scotland and removed King John. The next year, William Wallace and Andrew Moray led a fight against the English. They defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. For a short time, Wallace ruled Scotland. But Edward defeated Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk (1298). Wallace escaped but was later captured and executed in 1305.

Robert the Bruce, grandson of the earlier claimant, became a leader. In 1306, he was crowned King. Edward's forces quickly took over the country. But Bruce's support grew. By 1314, only two castles were still held by the English. Edward I had died in 1307. His son, Edward II, brought an army north. But Robert defeated them at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This secured Scotland's independence.

In 1320, Scottish nobles sent the Declaration of Arbroath to the Pope. It stated Scotland's right to be free. This helped the Pope recognize Scotland's sovereignty. In 1328, Edward III signed the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton. This officially recognized Scotland's independence under Robert the Bruce.

However, after Robert's death in 1329, England invaded again. This started the Second War of Independence. They tried to put Edward Balliol, John Balliol's son, on the throne. But Scottish resistance, led by Sir Andrew Murray, stopped them. Edward III eventually lost interest. In 1341, David II, Robert's son, returned from France. Balliol gave up his claim in 1356.

The Stewart Kings: A New Dynasty

The Early Stewarts

After David II's death, Robert II became the first Stewart king in 1371. His son, Robert III, followed him. During Robert III's reign, his brother, the Duke of Albany, held much of the power. In 1406, Robert III sent his younger son, James I, to France for safety. But the English captured him. James spent 18 years as a prisoner.

When James I returned in 1424, he was 32. He worked to centralize power in the crown. He was assassinated in 1437. His son, James II, continued to weaken powerful noble families.

Territorial Gains and Royal Marriages

In 1468, Scotland gained the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands as part of a dowry for James III's marriage to Margaret of Denmark. Berwick-upon-Tweed was captured by England in 1482. James IV ended the independent rule of the Lord of the Isles. This brought the Western Isles under royal control. In 1503, he married Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England. This marriage set the stage for the Union of the Crowns later on.

Culture and Education

The 15th century saw big advances in education. The University of St Andrews (1413), University of Glasgow (1450), and University of Aberdeen (1495) were founded. A law in 1496 said that sons of nobles should go to grammar schools. James IV's reign saw a flourishing of Scottish culture, influenced by the European Renaissance.

Wars with England and Mary, Queen of Scots

In 1512, the Auld Alliance with France was renewed. When England attacked France, James IV invaded England. He was defeated and killed at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513. Many nobles also died. Scotland was again ruled by regents for the infant James V.

James V escaped his regents in 1528. He continued to control the Highlands and borders. He also kept the French alliance. But another war with England led to defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. James died shortly after. His only heir was his daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots.

Mary was sent to France at age five. Her mother, Marie of Guise, became regent. England tried to force a marriage between Mary and their king's son. This led to fighting known as the Rough Wooing. French troops helped Scotland resist. By 1550, the English left.

Marie de Guise continued to promote French interests. But anti-French feelings grew, especially among Protestants. In 1560, Marie de Guise died. The Treaty of Edinburgh ended the Auld Alliance. Soon after, the Scottish Reformation took place. The Scottish Parliament abolished the Catholic Church.

Mary, Queen of Scots, returned to Scotland in 1561. She was Catholic, but didn't force Catholicism on her Protestant subjects. Her reign was full of problems. Her secretary, David Riccio, was murdered. Then her husband, Lord Darnley, was killed. She married the Earl of Bothwell, who was involved in Darnley's murder. The nobles turned against her. Mary was imprisoned and forced to give up her throne to her infant son, James VI. She escaped to England, but was later executed by Elizabeth I.

Religious Changes: The Protestant Reformation

The Rise of Protestantism

In the 16th century, Scotland had a Protestant Reformation. This created a mostly Calvinist national church, which became Presbyterian. The ideas of Martin Luther and John Calvin spread in Scotland. Early Protestant preachers like Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart were executed. This angered Protestants and created martyrs.

John Knox became the most important figure. He had been a follower of Calvin in Geneva. The collapse of the French alliance and English help in 1560 allowed Protestants to reform the Scottish church. Parliament adopted a new faith in 1560, rejecting the Pope and the Mass.

The Presbyterian Church

Knox's Calvinism led to a Presbyterian system. This meant local leaders had power over appointing clergy. There was some iconoclasm (destruction of religious images). Most people were probably still Catholic at this time. The new church found it hard to reach the Highlands and Islands. But it slowly converted people. This was done with less persecution than in other countries.

The 17th Century: Union and Conflict

Union of the Crowns

In 1603, James VI of Scotland became King James I of England. He moved to London. This united England and Scotland under one monarch. But the two kingdoms remained separate. James tried to create a new "Great Britain". Many Scots settled in Ulster, Ireland. Attempts to create a Scottish colony in Nova Scotia were not very successful.

Wars of the Three Kingdoms

James's son, Charles I, tried to introduce an English-style Prayer Book in Scotland in 1637. This caused anger and riots. People signed the National Covenant in 1638, opposing the King's changes. The Scottish bishops were removed from the Church. The Church became fully Presbyterian. Charles tried to raise an army, but a temporary peace was made.

However, fighting started again. Charles's forces were defeated by the Scots. This led to the English Civil War. This series of wars in England, Ireland, and Scotland is called the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The Covenanters (Scottish Presbyterians) governed Scotland. They raised a large army.

The English Parliament asked the Scots for help against the King. Scottish troops helped defeat Charles I. But not all Scots supported fighting the King. James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, led a royalist campaign in the Highlands. He had many victories. But his army was eventually defeated.

Charles I surrendered to the Scots. He then made a deal with moderate Scots Presbyterians. They promised military help if he would make England Presbyterian. The Duke of Hamilton led an invasion of England, but was defeated by Oliver Cromwell.

Cromwell and the Restoration

Charles I was executed in 1649. His son, Charles II, was immediately proclaimed King in Edinburgh. Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland in 1650. He defeated the Scottish army at Dunbar and Worcester. Scotland was then occupied by English forces. It became part of the English Commonwealth. Scotland lost its independent church, parliament, and legal system. But it gained access to English markets.

After Cromwell's death, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660. Scotland became an independent kingdom again. It got back its own laws, parliament, and church. But the King rarely visited. English laws prevented Scots from trading with England's colonies. The return of bishops to the Scottish church caused problems, especially in the south-west. Many Presbyterians held illegal meetings called conventicles. Attempts to stop these led to a rebellion in 1679.

The Glorious Revolution

When James VII (a Catholic) became king in 1685, he put Catholics in key government roles. He ignored parliament and forced religious tolerance for Catholics. This angered his Protestant subjects. In 1688, James had a son. This meant his Catholic policies would continue. Seven leading Englishmen invited William of Orange to invade. James fled, leading to the "Glorious Revolution".

The Scottish Parliament declared that James had lost the crown. They offered it to William and Mary. William accepted, agreeing to limit royal power. Presbyterianism was restored, and bishops were removed. However, James still had supporters, especially in the Highlands. These "Jacobites" led several uprisings. One was led by John Graham, Viscount Dundee, who won a battle but was killed. The Jacobite army was soon defeated. In 1692, 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed in the Massacre of Glencoe for not pledging loyalty to the new monarchs.

Economic Troubles and the Darien Scheme

The end of the 17th century saw economic problems. Trade with Europe declined. There were also four years of bad harvests (1695-1699), known as the "seven ill years". This caused famine and a drop in population. The Scottish Parliament tried to help. They set up the Bank of Scotland.

The "Company of Scotland" launched the Darien scheme. This was an ambitious plan to build a colony in Panama. The goal was to create trade with the Far East. Many Scots invested their money, hoping to boost Scotland's economy. But the English government opposed it. They didn't want to upset Spain, which claimed the land. English investors pulled out. Three fleets with 3,000 men sailed to Panama in 1698. The colony was a disaster. It was poorly equipped, suffered from rain, and was attacked by the Spanish. The English in the Caribbean refused to help. The colonists abandoned the project in 1700. Only 1,000 survived, and only one ship returned to Scotland.

The 18th Century: Union and Enlightenment

Union with England

By the early 18th century, a political union with England seemed good for Scotland. It promised access to England's larger markets and the growing English Empire. Scotland's economy was struggling. It relied on selling cattle and linen to England. This helped push for the union. On January 6, 1707, the Scottish Parliament voted to accept the Treaty of Union. This created "Great Britain". Scotland sent 45 MPs to the House of Commons and 16 to the House of Lords. The Scottish Parliament ended. Scottish currency, taxes, and trade laws became like England's. But Scottish law and the church system remained separate.

Jacobite Rebellions

The union was unpopular with some. In 1708, James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender") tried to invade with French help. But the Royal Navy stopped him. A more serious attempt happened in 1715, after George I of Great Britain became king. This rising, called The 'Fifteen, involved Scottish clans. But their leader, Earl of Mar, was indecisive. The Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Preston and the Battle of Sheriffmuir. James landed in Scotland but soon fled back to France. Another attempt with Spanish help in 1719 also failed.

In 1745, The 'Forty-Five rising began. Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) landed in the Outer Hebrides. He took Edinburgh and defeated the government army at the Battle of Prestonpans. The Jacobite army marched into England. But they didn't get much support. They retreated to Scotland. Charles's army was exhausted and defeated at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746. This crushed the Jacobite cause. Charles hid in Scotland before escaping to France. There were harsh punishments for his supporters. The Jacobite cause ended when Charles's brother died in 1807.

Changes in the Highlands

After Culloden, Highland culture faced big changes. Laws were passed to forbid wearing tartans and carrying weapons. The Heritable Jurisdictions Act of 1746 removed the power of clan chiefs. Historians debate if these changes were inevitable or if government actions sped them up.

A major result was the Highland Clearances. Many people were forced off their land. This was to make way for sheep farming. The evictions were often brutal. Many Highlanders moved to cities or emigrated to Canada, America, or Australia. Those who stayed became crofters. They lived on small rented farms. They also earned money from fishing, making linen, and military service.

The Napoleonic Wars (1790–1815) brought some prosperity to the Highlands. Wages increased, and there was spending on projects like the Caledonian Canal. But after 1815, economic problems returned for crofters.

The Scottish Enlightenment

By 1750, Scottish cities had strong intellectual centers. Universities, libraries, and societies supported new ideas. Voltaire said, "we look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilization." Scottish thinkers focused on understanding human behavior.

Francis Hutcheson was a key philosopher. He taught that virtue brings "the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers." David Hume and Adam Smith were his students. Hume was a major figure in skeptical philosophy. Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations, which is considered the first work on modern economics. It greatly influenced economic policy. Other Scottish thinkers made important contributions to science, medicine, and geology.

Start of Industrialization

With no tariffs with England, Scottish merchants could trade more. Scotland was still mostly rural in 1750. But agriculture in the Lowlands improved. Glasgow became a center for tobacco and sugar trade. Merchants invested in industries like textiles, iron, and coal. This laid the groundwork for Glasgow to become a major industrial city.

The tobacco trade collapsed during the American Revolution. But trade with the West Indies grew. Linen was Scotland's main industry in the 18th century. The British Linen Company became a major firm. It also became a bank. By the end of the century, Scotland had a strong financial system. This helped the economy grow quickly in the 19th century.

Religious Changes

In the 1690s, the Presbyterian church removed Episcopalians and heretics. Blasphemy became a crime punishable by death. This extremism led to a "Moderate" movement.

The 18th century saw the Church of Scotland split. This was over issues of church control. Hard-line Evangelicals disagreed with the more tolerant Moderates. The Patronage Act of 1712 allowed landlords to choose ministers. This led to groups like the Secession Church breaking away in 1733. These churches grew during the Evangelical Revival. The main Presbyterian church was controlled by the Moderates. This supported Enlightenment ideas in cities.

In the Highlands, people held onto older Christian beliefs. Catholicism was pushed to the edges of the country. Episcopalianism also declined after the Jacobite rebellions. Other churches like Baptists and Methodists appeared in the 18th century.

Scottish Literature

Scottish literature developed a distinct identity. Allan Ramsay helped revive interest in older Scottish writing. James Macpherson gained international fame for his "Ossian" poems. These were said to be translations of ancient Gaelic epics. They influenced the Romantic movement in Europe.

Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet. He wrote original poems and collected folk songs. His song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at New Year. "Scots Wha Hae" was an unofficial national anthem.

Education System

After the Reformation, the goal was a school in every parish. A 1696 law said landowners should provide a schoolhouse and pay a teacher. Ministers oversaw education. These schools taught in English, not Gaelic.

A "democratic myth" claimed that many poor boys could rise through the system. But historical research shows this was not entirely true. Kirk schools were not free. Attendance was not compulsory. They mostly taught basic reading of the Bible. Most children finished school by age 11 or 12. Few poor boys went to university.

By the 18th century, Scotland had five universities. They were at Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, and Aberdeen. They offered a high-quality education. They became major centers for medical education and Enlightenment thinking.

The 19th Century: Industry and Migration

Industrial Growth

Scotland's economy changed quickly after 1790. It became a leader in modern industry. The population grew from 1.6 million in 1801 to 4.4 million in 1901. Cotton spinning and weaving were important in the west. But the American Civil War cut off cotton supplies in 1861.

By then, Scotland had developed heavy industries. These were based on coal and iron. The invention of the hot blast (1828) helped the iron industry. Scotland became a world center for engineering, shipbuilding, and making locomotives. Steel replaced iron after 1870. Coal mining continued to grow. By 1914, there were 1 million coal miners in Scotland.

Railways expanded trade. The first successful line opened in 1831. Railways made it cheaper to ship coal and goods. They connected Scottish products to markets across Britain. By 1900, Scotland had 3,500 miles of railway.

Glasgow became one of the world's largest cities. It was known as "the Second City of the Empire." Shipbuilding on the Clyde began in 1712. After 1860, Clydeside shipyards specialized in steamships made of iron and steel. "Clydebuilt" became a mark of quality worldwide.

Public Health and Living Conditions

Rapid industrial growth led to poor living conditions in some cities. There was overcrowding, high infant deaths, and growing rates of tuberculosis. Companies built inexpensive housing for rural workers and Irish immigrants.

Intellectual Life and Literature

Scottish contributions to British science and literature continued. Figures like James Clerk Maxwell (physicist), Lord Kelvin (physicist), James Watt (inventor), and William Murdoch (engineer) were crucial to the Industrial Revolution.

In literature, Walter Scott was very successful. His novel Waverley (1814) helped define Scottish cultural identity. Later, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and adventure books like Kidnapped. Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes. The "kailyard tradition" brought fantasy and folklore back into fashion. Writers like J. M. Barrie (creator of Peter Pan) and George MacDonald were part of this.

The Glasgow School of art developed in the late 19th century. It blended influences like the Celtic Revival and Art Nouveau. Famous members included Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret MacDonald.

Highland Romanticism and Decline

Highland culture was rehabilitated in this period. Tartan and the kilt became popular symbols of Scottish identity. This was helped by Macpherson's Ossian poems and Walter Scott's novels. King George IV wore tartan during his visit in 1822. Queen Victoria also loved Scotland. Balmoral Castle became a royal residence.

Despite this, the Highlands remained poor. Landlords needed money and turned to sheep farming. This led to the Highland Clearances. The Irish Potato Famine also affected the Highlands in the 1840s. But an effective relief system helped prevent disaster.

Rural Life and Land Reform

Unequal land ownership was a big issue. Poor crofters joined evangelical Presbyterian churches. This movement was led by lay preachers. It separated crofters from landlords. In the 1880s, the Highland Land League fought for land rights. The government passed the Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1886. This reduced rents and guaranteed land tenure. Three Crofter candidates were elected to Parliament in 1885.

Migration from Scotland

Scotland's population grew, but there weren't enough jobs. Between 1841 and 1931, about 2 million Scots moved to North America and Australia. Another 750,000 moved to England. Scotland lost a higher percentage of its population than England and Wales. Many young men left.

Scots played a big role in the development of the United States and Canada. Famous Scots-born migrants include Andrew Carnegie (industrialist) and Alexander Graham Bell (inventor). By the 21st century, there were as many people of Scottish descent in Canada and the US as in Scotland. The Great Depression in the 1930s slowed down emigration.

Religious Divisions and Revivals

In 1834, Evangelicals gained control of the General Assembly. They passed the Veto Act. This allowed congregations to reject ministers chosen by patrons. This led to the Disruption of 1843. About a third of the clergy left to form the Free Church of Scotland. The Free Churches grew quickly in the Highlands.

Later, debates between fundamentalist Calvinists and theological liberals caused more splits. But there were also moves towards reunion. Many secessionist churches joined together. The majority of the Free Church rejoined the Church of Scotland in 1929.

Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and Irish immigration transformed Catholicism. In 1878, a Roman Catholic hierarchy was restored in Scotland. Catholicism became a significant religion. Episcopalianism also revived. Other churches like Baptists and Methodists grew in the 19th century. The Salvation Army also made inroads in cities.

Development of State Education

Industrialization and the Disruption of 1843 affected parish schools. From 1830, the state began funding schools. In 1872, Scotland adopted a system of state-sponsored, mostly free schools. These were run by local school boards. Education became compulsory from five to thirteen. Many new schools were built. "Higher grade" (secondary) schools were established. In 1888, a Leaving Certificate Examination set national standards. School fees were abolished in 1890.

At the start of the 19th century, Scottish universities had no entrance exams. Students could enter at 15 or 16. Reforms in the mid-19th century changed this. Entrance exams were introduced. Students entered later, at 17 or 18. Degrees became more structured. Scottish universities became leaders in higher education. They prepared students for various professions. The University of Glasgow became a leader in British higher education. St Andrews was the first to admit women to Scottish universities. By 1892, Scottish universities could admit and graduate women.

The 20th Century: Wars and Changes

Fishing Industry

Before World War I, inshore fisheries thrived. Scottish catches dominated Europe's herring trade. Steam-powered boats made fishing more productive.

Political Shifts

In the 1900 election, the Conservatives and Liberal Unionists won a majority of Scottish seats for the first time. But the Liberals regained power later. The Unionists and Conservatives merged in 1912. Scots played a big role in UK politics. Arthur Balfour and Henry Campbell-Bannerman were Scottish Prime Ministers. The Labour Party was formed in 1906, with Keir Hardie as its first chairman.

First World War (1914-1918)

Scotland played a major part in World War I. It provided soldiers, ships, machinery, food, and money. Scottish industries focused on the war effort. For example, the Singer sewing machine factory made artillery shells.

Scotland sent 690,000 men to the war. 74,000 died, and 150,000 were seriously wounded. Scottish cities were good recruiting grounds for the army. Voluntary enlistment increased after the government promised support for soldiers' families. After conscription began in 1916, everyone was affected. Scots made up a large part of the fighting forces and suffered heavy losses. Clydeside shipyards were major war industry centers. After the war, the German fleet at Scapa Flow was sunk by its own crews.

Economic Ups and Downs

World War I created a boom for shipbuilding. But a serious economic depression hit by 1922. Skilled workers were especially affected. Scotland's economy struggled due to its reliance on old heavy industries. Unemployment was high. Some industries like chemicals and whisky did grow.

Politics Between the Wars

After World War I, the Liberal Party declined. Labour became the main party for progressive politics in Scotland. It gained support among working classes in the Lowlands. The Unionists gained support from the middle classes, who feared revolution.

A radical movement emerged on Red Clydeside. In 1919, the British Government sent tanks and soldiers to Glasgow. John MacLean was a key figure. Industrial areas switched to Labour by 1922. Women were active in housing and rent issues.

Scottish politicians continued to lead the UK. Andrew Bonar Law led a Conservative government. Ramsay MacDonald was Labour's first Prime Minister. New nationalist groups emerged, like the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1934. They wanted an independent Scotland, but had little success at first.

Second World War (1939-1945)

Scapa Flow was an important Royal Navy base. Scottish shipyards and factories played a key role in the war effort. They suffered from German bombing. Scotland was important in the Battle of the North Atlantic. The Shetland Bus helped Norwegians escape the Nazis. Scots like Robert Watson-Watt (radar inventor) and Hugh Dowding (RAF leader) made important contributions.

Winston Churchill appointed Tom Johnston as Secretary of State for Scotland. Johnston promoted Scotland and attracted new businesses. He set up committees to deal with social problems. He also started a hydro-electricity system in the Highlands. Johnston created a Scottish Council of State and a Council of Industry. This aimed to give Scotland more control over its own affairs.

Scottish industry recovered during the war. Unemployment disappeared. Real wages rose, and health improved.

End of Mass Migration

Emigration continued in Scotland after World War I. Between 1921 and 1931, 400,000 Scots left. Economic problems, a desire for adventure, and better job opportunities abroad were factors. Personal networks also encouraged migration. The Great Depression in the 1930s reduced emigration. This ended the period of mass migrations that began in the mid-18th century.

Literary Revival

The early 20th century saw a new wave of Scottish literature. This was influenced by modernism and nationalism. It was called the Scottish Renaissance. Hugh MacDiarmid was the leading figure. Other writers explored Scottish identity and social issues. These included Edwin Muir, Neil Gunn, and Nan Shepherd.

Education Changes

In the 20th century, the education system became more focused on Scotland. The school leaving age was raised to 14 in 1901. It was made 16 in 1973. In 1918, Catholic schools joined the state system.

Scottish universities fell behind English and European ones in the first half of the 20th century. Student numbers and investment declined.

Postwar Scotland: Modern Times

Economic Challenges and New Industries

After World War II, Scotland's economy worsened. This was due to competition, inefficient industries, and strikes. Things began to change in the 1970s. This was partly due to the discovery of North Sea oil and gas. Scotland also moved towards a service-based economy.

The discovery of the Forties oilfield in 1970 showed Scotland would be a major oil producer. Oil production started in 1975. Traditional heavy industries declined rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s. A new service economy emerged. This included financial services and electronics manufacturing in "Silicon Glen".

Politics and Devolution

After World War II, the Labour Party usually won most Scottish seats in the UK Parliament. But support for the Unionists (later Conservatives) declined. Scottish politicians continued to be important in UK politics.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) gained prominence in the 1970s. They achieved 11 MPs in 1974. A vote on devolution (more self-rule) in 1979 failed. The SNP declined in the 1980s. The introduction of the Community Charge in Scotland in 1989 led to a growing movement for Scottish control.

In 1997, the Labour government held another referendum on devolution. It passed, leading to the creation of a devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999. The new Scottish Parliament Building opened in 2004. The SNP became the official opposition in 1999. They formed a minority government in 2007 and a majority government in 2011.

In 2014, a referendum on independence was held. Voters chose to remain in the United Kingdom. In the 2015 UK election, the SNP won 56 out of 59 Scottish seats.

Religious Diversity and Decline

In the 20th century, other Christian groups like the Pentecostal churches appeared. After World War II, church attendance declined for most denominations. In the 2011 census, 53.8% of Scots identified as Christian. The Church of Scotland is the largest group. The Roman Catholic Church is also important.

Other religions have grown in Scotland, mainly through immigration. In 2011, 1.4% of the population was Muslim. Other minority faiths include Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Many people (43.6%) reported no religion.

Education Reforms

The school leaving age was raised to 16 in 1973. Secondary education grew in the second half of the 20th century. New qualifications like the Scottish Certificate of Education 'O-Grade' and 'Higher' were introduced in 1962. These became the main entry qualifications for university.

The higher education sector expanded. Four institutions became universities in the 1960s. Five more became universities in the 1990s. After devolution, the Scottish government abolished student tuition fees in 1999. Instead, they kept a system of student grants.

New Literature

After World War II, some writers like Robert Garioch wrote in Scots. Others, like Norman MacCaig, focused on English poetry. George Mackay Brown and Iain Crichton Smith wrote about their island backgrounds. Edwin Morgan was known for translations. He became the first official Scottish national poet in 2004.

Many major Scottish novelists, like Muriel Spark, lived outside Scotland but wrote about Scottish themes. Successful mass-market authors included Alistair MacLean. A new generation of novelists emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1980s, Scottish literature had another revival. This was linked to Glasgow writers. Important novels included Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting and Alasdair Gray's Poor Things. Scottish crime fiction also grew, with writers like Ian Rankin. Carol Ann Duffy became the first Scottish and first female Poet Laureate in 2009.

Images for kids

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  Highlands in 1482

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  The remains of old run rig strips beside Loch Eynort, Isle of Skye. Run rig was an old farming method.

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  Deer stalkers on Glenfeshie Estate spying with monoculars, around 1858.

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  A bust of Hugh MacDiarmid sculpted by William Lamb in 1927.

See also

In Spanish: Historia de Escocia para niños