In November 1666, an army of Covenanter rebels was defeated by government troops in the Pentland Hills in what came to be known as the Battle of Rullion Green. While believed to be a small engagement, the clash occurred during a spontaneous rebellion, known as the ‘Pentland Rising’, in response to repressive policies against Presbyterian … More The Covenanter Uprising Crushed in the Pentland Hills
The life and story of Mary Queen of Scots verges on legendary. Love affairs, deceit, conspiracy, war and turmoil – it’s a tale steeped in romanticism and intrigue, and one that was made for Hollywood. Reigning amidst a period of social upheaval and religious unrest, Mary Queen of Scots is often remembered for the manner … More Five Facts About Mary Queen of Scots
When King George IV landed in Leith in August 1822, his arrival marked the first visit of a monarch to Scotland since the reign of Charles II in 1651. And his visit was very well timed. … More The Royal Publicity Tour that Reignited Scotland’s National Identity
From across the sea they came. The arrival of Norsemen on our shores heralded the beginning of a new, bloody era in British history. … More Land of Hope and Glory: Vikings and Saxon England
For the majority of Scottish monarchs, the end of their reign was marked by death. The reign of Constantine II is somewhat of an outlier in this sense, ending when the king abdicated to become a monk. … More Constantine II: The Scottish King Who Became a Monk
In September 1736, John Porteous, Captain of Edinburgh’s City Guard, was lynched by an angry mob of local residents. Overpowered and taken from the Tolbooth prison, Captain Porteous was dragged through the streets of the Old Town to the Grassmarket, where he was eventually hanged. This gruesome incident marked the climax of what came to … More The Story of the Edinburgh Lawman Lynched by an Angry Mob
If you’re searching for kelpies in 2022, look no further than Falkirk. The two iconic sculptures, erected in 2013, are a sight to behold and well worth the daytrip. But what are kelpies? … More Tales from Scottish Mythology: What Are Kelpies?
On 2nd March 1938, Scottish woman Jessie Jordan was arrested on charges of espionage. An inconspicuous hairdresser living in Dundee, it would transpire that Jordan was in fact a spy for German military intelligence service, the Abwehr. Jordan’s arrest had wide-reaching implications, not least for British intelligence services, and led to the exposure of a … More The Story of Jessie Jordan, a Dundee Hairdresser Exposed as a German Spy
Fought on the 17th January 1746, the Battle of Falkirk Muir marked an impressive victory for the Jacobite cause, but one that would have little impact on the eventual outcome of the conflict. … More The Battle of Falkirk Muir: A ‘Hollow Victory’ for the Jacobite Cause
The Massacre of Tranent started as a protest against the conscription of working-class Scottish men but quickly boiled over into violence. … More The Massacre of Tranent: When Defiant Miners Faced British Dragoons