Turner, Val (1999). Ancient Shetland. Historic Scotland. B. T. Batsford. p.81. ISBN 978-0-713-48001-6. OL 9825033M. A "democratic myth" emerged in the 19th century to the effect that many a "lad of pairts" had been able to rise up through the system to take high office and that literacy was much more widespread in Scotland than in neighbouring states, particularly England. [208] Historical research has largely undermined the myth. Kirk schools were not free, attendance was not compulsory and they generally imparted only basic literacy such as the ability to read the Bible. Poor children, starting at age 7, were done by age 8 or 9; the majority were finished by age 11 or 12. The result was widespread basic reading ability; since there was an extra fee for writing, half the people never learned to write. Scots were not significantly better educated than the English and other contemporary nations. A few talented poor boys did go to university, but usually they were helped by aristocratic or gentry sponsors. Most of them became poorly paid teachers or ministers, and none became important figures in the Scottish Enlightenment or the Industrial Revolution. [209] Scottish politics in the late 18th century was dominated by the Whigs, with the benign management of Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll (1682–1761), who was in effect the "viceroy of Scotland" from the 1720s until his death in 1761. Scotland generally supported the king with enthusiasm during the American Revolution. Henry Dundas (1742–1811) dominated political affairs in the latter part of the century. Dundas defeated advocates of intellectual and social change through his ruthless manipulation of patronage in alliance with Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, until he lost power in 1806. [160] A boom was created by the First World War, with the shipbuilding industry expanding by a third, but a serious depression hit the economy by 1922. [284] The most skilled craftsmen were especially hard hit, because there were few alternative uses for their specialised skills. [285] The main social indicators such as poor health, bad housing, and long-term mass unemployment, pointed to terminal social and economic stagnation at best, or even a downward spiral. The heavy dependence on obsolescent heavy industry and mining was a central problem, and no one offered workable solutions. The despair reflected what Finlay (1994) describes as a widespread sense of hopelessness that prepared local business and political leaders to accept a new orthodoxy of centralised government economic planning when it arrived during the Second World War. [286]

A major study of the global impact of Scots upon the wider world, with stories of those who left their homeland to begin a new life in places such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US. SCOTLAND, JULY 1746: an army of occupation ravages the Highlands, committing atrocities with consequences that will reverberate across generations. From this bloody cataclysm, the battle-hardened English soldier Mordaunt saves an infant who will become his heiress and his obsession, and on his shattered estate a traumatised Franco-Scottish laird, Ewen Stirling, offers refuge to a boy damaged by unspeakable horror. Lose yourself in unforgettable historical fiction. Scotland has an ancient history. The land has been steeped in varied events throughout its history. No matter what part of Scotland you are interested in, you will always find castles, remains, monuments and battlefields. Some events in particular have helped shaping its current history. Here are some of the best Scottish history books to understand more about this land. The Makers of Scotland, by Tim Clarkson Did Scots actually fade in the shadow of their powerful neighbor? This book adopts a different approach to such historical events. The truth is Scots invaded their more powerful neighbors – England – consistently, defying numerous generations of powerful kings.Glencoe was a turning point in the Scottish history, and this book describes the events of that time in a clear, concise and direct manner. The action was terrible, but the results contributed to the Scottish growth – moreover, it represents a major event that changed the way Scotland grew.

There is no better antidote against entertaining too high an opinion of others than having an excellent one of ourselves at the very same time.”This classic text, due to be reprinted later this year, charts the history of Scotland’s monarchy through the personal achievements of the individual rulers. You suffer from the oldest delusion in politics. You think you can change the world by talking to a leader. Leaders are the effects, not the causes of changes.” While the Rebus novels are focused on fictional mysteries, this book is more of a guided tour around Scotland. Specifically, you’ll notice how much Rebus’s character connects to Rankin and his experiences. Plus, the author describes Edinburgh and Fife in a way that will convince you to plan a vacation to Scotland. The Hidden Ways: Scotland’s Forgotten Roads by Alistair Moffat In the 20th century, the centre of the education system became more focused on Scotland, with the ministry of education partly moving north in 1918 and then finally having its headquarters relocated to Edinburgh in 1939. [208] The school leaving age was raised to 14 in 1901, but despite attempts to raise it to 15 this was only made law in 1939 and then postponed because of the outbreak of war. In 1918, Roman Catholic schools were brought into the state system, but retained their distinct religious character, access to schools by priests and the requirement that school staff be acceptable to the Church. [208] Why is Rebus receiving these letters, and how is the murderer linked to it all? You’ll have to read to find out! This book series is so popular that ITV adapted it into a four-season British TV show, Rebus, which aired from 2000-2007. 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

Diodorus Siculus' Bibliotheca Historica Book V. Chapter XXI. Section 4 Greek text at the Perseus Project. Main article: Highlands of Scotland David Wilkie's flattering portrait of the kilted King George IV. Scotland played a major role in the British effort in the First World War. [274] It especially provided manpower, ships, machinery, food (particularly fish) and money, engaging with the conflict with some enthusiasm. [275] Scotland's industries were directed at the war effort. For example, the Singer Clydebank sewing machine factory received over 5000 government contracts, and made 303 million artillery shells, shell components, fuses, and aeroplane parts, as well as grenades, rifle parts, and 361,000 horseshoes. Its labour force of 14,000 was about 70 per cent female at war's end. [276]

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Breeze, David John (2002). Smith, Beverly Ballin; Banks, Iain (eds.). The ancient geography of Scotland. Tempus. pp.11–13. ISBN 978-0-752-42517-7. OL 7982318M. {{ cite book}}: |work= ignored ( help)