Scotland: A Concise History (Illustrated National Histories)

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An updated edition of this classic and much-loved history, bringing Scotland’s story right up to date with the momentous events of the last five years.

‘The Scots’, said a censorious English member of Parliament in 1607, ‘have not suffered above two kings to die in their beds these two hundred years.’ He may have exaggerated, but undeniably Scotland has had a rough and bloodstained history. It is a complex one, too, but the late Fitzroy Maclean and Magnus Linklater disentangle the threads, and enliven their brisk account with both wit and scholarship. Pictures from authentic contemporary sources illuminate the story – its romantic figures and bloody battles, its politics and religion – and provide a record of Scotland’s art, craftsmanship and intellectual life.

In the fifth edition of this classic work, Magnus Linklater brings the story of Scotland right up to date, examining how the Scots identity is faring since the momentous Scottish referendum of 2014, and discussing the fate of the United Kingdom.

Edition type: Fifth edition
Extent: 200 pp
Format: Paperback
Illustrations: 58
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Size: 19.8 x 12.9 cm
ISBN: 9780500294727
Foreword by Magnus Linklater • 1. ‘Polished from the rust of Scottish barbarity’ • 2. ‘Not for glory, nor riches, nor honour, but only for that liberty’ • 3. ‘They spend all their time in wars and when there is no war, they fight one another’ • 4. ‘The great marriage day of this nation with god’ • 5. ‘Ane end of ane auld sang’ • 6. ‘The king over the water’ • 7.‘For a’ that’ • 8. ‘The settled will of the Scottish people’ • 9. ‘We shall carry it carefully and make the nation proud’

Press Reviews

Elegantly written
Hugh Trevor-Roper, The Sunday Times

An admirable introduction to a fascinating subject
The Scotsman



About the Author

Fitzroy Maclean held a number of senior posts in the diplomatic service, the armed forces and the government.

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