Timeline of Scottish history
Appearance
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This is atimeline of Scottish history,comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in Scotland and its predecessor states. See alsoTimeline of prehistoric Scotland.
To read about the background to many of these events, seeHistory of Scotland.More information can also be found in thelist of Scottish monarchs,list of British monarchs,list of First Ministers of Scotland,andlist of years in Scotland.[1]
Centuries:1st·2nd·3rd·4th·5th·6th·7th·8th·9th·10th·11th·12th·13th·14th·15th·16th·17th·18th·19th·20th·21st
1st century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
97 | RomansdefeatCaledoniansat theBattle of Mons Graupius. |
2nd century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
122 | Romans constructHadrian's Wall. | |
143 | Romans constructAntonine Wall. | |
163 | Romans withdraw south toTrimontiumandHadrian's Wall. |
3rd century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
300 | The termPictis first recorded in describing the federated tribes invaded byConstantius Chlorus. |
4th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
397 | Traditional date at whichSaint Ninianestablishes a Christian mission atWhithorn. |
5th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
470 | Votadinipeoples form the kingdom ofGododdinin the region north of theRiver Tweed. |
6th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
547 | Anglescapture the Northumbrian fortress atBamburghand found the kingdom ofBernicia. | |
563 | Saint Columbafounds a monastery atIonaand begins his mission to the northern Picts. | |
574 | Áedán mac Gabráinbegins reign over theGaelickingdom ofDál Riata. | |
575 | Western Scotland is granted independence from the Irish Dalriada, after a convention at Drum Ceatt near Derry. | |
580 | Riderch I of Alt Clutrules region later known as the kingdom ofStrathclyde. | |
584 | Bruide, son of Maelchon,dies. |
7th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
604 | ÆthelfrithunitesBerniciaandDeirato form the kingdom ofNorthumbria. | |
638 | NorthumbrianscaptureEdinburghfrom Gododdin. | |
680 | TrumwineBishop ofAbercorn. | |
681 | Bruide mac Bili,King ofFortriu,campaigns against Orkney. | |
685 | Pictish King Bruide mac Bili defeatsEcgfrith of Northumbriaat theBattle of Dun Nechtain,halting the northern expansion of Northumbria. | |
693 | Bruide mac Bili dies. | |
697 | Bruide mac Der-Ileiamong the signatories of theCáin Adomnáin. |
8th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
717 | Nechtan mac Der-IleiexpelsIonanclergy from Pictland and adopts Roman usages with the aid of BishopCuretán;masons sent by AbbotCeolfridofMonkwearmouth-Jarrow Prioryhelp build stone churches atRestenneth,Rosemarkieand elsewhere in eastern Scotland. | |
724 | Drustand Nechtan mac Der-Ilei fight civil war (to 729). | |
732 | Death of Nechtan mac Der-Ilei;Óengus mac Fergusabecomes King of the Picts. | |
735 | Óengus mac Fergusa, King of the Picts, campaigns against Dál Riata, and seizes and burns the royal centre ofDunadd. | |
736 | Battle of Cnoc Coirpi between Fortriu and Dál Riata. | |
741 | Battle of Druimm Cathmail between Fortriu and Dál Riata; the "smiting of Dál Riata", in which Dál Riata is subdued by Óengus mac Fergusa. | |
747 | St Andrewsfounded by this time, death of AbbotTúathalán. | |
750 | Picts defeated by Britons at the Battle of Catohic. | |
756 | Óengus mac Fergusa allied with the English of Northumbria attacks the Britons; the English army is destroyed. | |
761 | Death of Óengus mac Fergusa. | |
763 | Battle takes place in Fortriu betweenCiniodandÁed Find;result unknown. | |
778 | Death of Áed Find, King of Dál Riata. | |
794 | Annals of Ulster report the "wasting" of "all the islands of Britain by gentiles [Vikings]". |
9th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
802 | Iona burned byVikings. | |
806 | The monasteries under Iona are attacked by Vikings, killing 68 monks. | |
820 | Death ofCaustantín mac Fergusa. | |
829 | AbbotDiarmait,abbot of Iona,goes toAlbawith relics of St Columba. | |
831 | Diarmait of Iona goes to Ireland with relics of St Columba. | |
839 | Eóganan mac Óengusaand his brother Bran killed in battle with Vikings, end of dominance ofFortriu. | |
858 | Death ofKenneth mac Alpin,King of the Picts;"union of Picts and Scots" traditionally dated from his reign. | |
870 | Alt Clut—Dumbarton Rock— captured by theNorse-GaelorVikingleadersAmlaíb ConungandÍmarafter a six-month of siege. | |
878 | Kenneth mac Alpin's sonÁedkilled;Giricbecomes king. | |
889 | Death of Giric;Domnall mac Causantín,grandson of Kenneth, becomes king. | |
890 | The Strathclyde Britons are exiled to theGwyneddin Wales. |
10th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
900 | Causantín mac Áedasucceeds Domnall mac Causantín. | |
937 | Battle of BrunanburhEnglish victory in 937 by the army of Æthelstan, King of England, and his brother Edmund over the combined armies of Olaf III Guthfrithson, the Norse-Gael King of Dublin, Constantine II, King of Scots, and Owen I, King of Strathclyde. | |
940 | SaintCatroe of Metzleaves Scotland. | |
943 | Causantín mac Áeda abdicates to become aculdeeat St Andrews. | |
952 | Death of Causantín mac Áeda. | |
954 | Indulfcaptures Edinburgh from Northumbria. |
11th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1058 | After defeatingMac BethadandLulach,Máel Coluim IIIis proclaimed king. | |
1012 | Battle of Cruden Bay |
12th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1124 | David Ibecomes king and introduces the feudal system of landholding to much of Scotland. | |
1128 | David I foundsHolyrood Abbeyat Edinburgh. | |
1136 | Glasgow Cathedral(St Kentigern's, begun 1123) consecrated in the presence of David I. | |
1153 | Somerledsacks Glasgow and its vicinity. | |
1156 | Somerled defeats the NorseKing of Mann and the Isles,establishing his own semi-independent rule asri Innse Gall-King of the Hebrides. | |
1164 | Somerled is defeated byMalcolm IVin theBattle of Renfrew. | |
1174 | William Isigns theTreaty of Falaisein which he swears allegiance toHenry II of England. |
13th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1234 | Galloway's independent existence ends with the death ofAlan, Lord of Galloway. | |
1237 | Southern border of Scotland established in theTreaty of York. | |
1263 | Scots defeat Norwegians in theBattle of Largs. | |
1266 | Norwaycedes theHebridesandIsle of Manto Scotland in theTreaty of Perth. | |
1292 | Edward I of Englandintervenes in Scottish affairs and grants the Scottish throne toJohn Balliol. | |
1297 | Andrew de MoraviaandWilliam Wallacelead the Scots to victory over England atStirling Bridge. |
14th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1305 | William Wallaceis executed in London. | |
1314 | Robert the Brucedefeats the English atBannockburn. | |
1320 | Nobles assert Scottish independence in theDeclaration of Arbroath. | |
1328 | Treaty of Northampton.England recognisesScottish independence. | |
1329 | Death of Robert the Bruce. His 5-year-old son,David IIsucceeds him. | |
1371 | Robert IIbecomes firstStewartking. |
15th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1402 | English defeat Scots in theBattle of Nesbit Moorand theBattle of Humbleton Hill. | |
1413 | Foundation of theUniversity of St Andrews. | |
1451 | Establishment of theUniversity of Glasgow. | |
1468 | DenmarkcedesOrkneyandShetlandfromNorwayto Scotland. | |
1488 | James IVcrowned after death of his fatherJames III of Scotlandin/after a rebellion—theBattle of Sauchieburn. | |
1493 | Lordship of the Islesabolished. In 1540 the title was reserved to the crown. | |
1495 | Creation of theUniversity of Aberdeen(King's College). | |
1496 | Education Act 1496makes education compulsory forbaronsand wealthy landowners. |
16th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1513 | James IVand thousands of Scots are killed atBattle of Flodden. | |
1532 | Creation of theCollege of Justiceand theCourt of Session. | |
1542 | Death ofJames V. | |
1547 | Battle of Pinkieduring the War of theRough Wooing. | |
1559 | John Knoxreturns to Scotland fromGenevato promoteCalvinism. | |
1560 | ParliamentlegislatesProtestant Reformationof theChurch of Scotland. | |
1561 | Mary, Queen of Scotsreturns from France. | |
1566 | Baptism of James VIat Stirling | |
1568 | Mary, Queen of Scots flees to England following the defeat of her army at theBattle of Langside. | |
1579 | James VItakes over government from his regent,James Douglas. | |
1582 | Establishment of theUniversity of Edinburghby royal charter. | |
1587 | Mary is beheaded by the order ofQueen Elizabeth I of England. | |
1589 | James VI marriesAnne of Denmarkin Oslo. | |
1590 | Entry and coronation of Anne of Denmarkin Edinburgh | |
1592 | James VI enacts the "Golden Act" recognising the power ofPresbyterianismwithin the Scottish church. | |
1594 | Masque at the baptism of Prince Henryin Stirling |
17th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1603 | TheUnion of the Crowns:James VIof Scotland becomesJames I of England. | |
1614 | John Napierinventslogarithmsand publishes a book promoting their use in mathematics. | |
1618 | James VIforcesepiscopacyon theChurch of Scotlandthrough theFive Articles of Perth. | |
1625 | Charles I of England, Scotland and Irelandis crowned. | |
1633 | Education Act 1633ordains a school in everyparish(partially successful). | |
1638 | ScottishCovenantersrebel againstCharles I. | |
1639 | TheFirst Bishops' War. | |
1640 | TheSecond Bishops' War. | |
1642 | TheFirst English Civil Warstarted. | |
1643 | TheSolemn League and Covenantpromises Scots army to aid English parliamentarians against the king. | |
1646 | TheFirst English Civil Warended. | |
1648 | TheSecond English Civil Warstarted. | |
1649 | TheSecond English Civil Warended. Charles I is executed—ending the monarchy until 1660. | |
1649 | TheThird English Civil Warstarted. | |
1650 | Southern Scotland occupied by theEnglish Commonwealth'sNew Model Armyfollowing Scottish defeats at theBattle of Dunbar 1650and theBattle of Hamiltonduring theThird English Civil War | |
1651 | 3 September | Battle of Worcesterwas a victory for New Model Army over the last major Royalist field army. Most of the Royalist officers and men who fought at Worcester were Scottish. For the next ten years, apart from some mopping up operations and a few insurrections, (all of which were easily suppressed) there was not further military resistance to rule from London. |
1651 | TheThird English Civil Warended. | |
1654 | 5 May | Oliver Cromwellissued a proclamation at theMercat Crossin Edinburgh. Oliver Cromwell was theProtector of England Ireland and Scotland,thatScotland was united with the Commonwealth of England(Tender of Union) and there was a general pardon with some exceptions for the people of Scotland for any actions taken during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (Cromwell's Act of Grace). |
1660 | 14 May | The monarchy is restoredin Scotland and Scotland resumes its status as a separate kingdom. |
1661 | May | Four men were executed for high treason for their actions againstthe Crownduring the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.Archibald Campbell, 8th Earl of Argyll,James Guthrie,William Govanwere all executed in May 1661 (the fourthArchibald Johnston, Lord Warristonfled abroad but returned to Scotland and was executed on 22 July 1663). |
1661 | 6 September | The restoration of theEpiscopacywas proclaimed by the Privy Council of Scotland. |
1662 | During theparliamentarysession theChurch of Scotlandwas restored as the national Church and all office-holders were required to renounced theCovenant. | |
1662 | 9 September | TheScottish parliamentpassed theAct of indemnity and oblivion.It was a general pardon for most types of crime that may have been committed by Scots, between 1 January 1637 and before 1 September 1660, during what the Act called "the late troubles" (the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and theInterregnum). |
1679 | James, Duke of Monmouthdefeats Covenanters at theBattle of Bothwell Brig. | |
1689 | Jacobite rising of 1689Highlanders defeat army ofWilliam IIIatKilliecrankie,but are halted atBattle of Dunkeld. | |
TheClaim of Rightand the re-establishment of Presbyterianism. | ||
1692 | TheMassacre of Glencoe. | |
1695 | TheBank of Scotlandis created by an Act of theParliament. | |
1696 | Education Act 1696ordains a school in everyparish(successful; act governs education until the 1872 act). | |
1698 | The Darien scheme was an unsuccessful attempt by the Kingdom of Scotland to establish a colony called "New Caledonia" on the Isthmus of Panama in the 1690s |
18th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1707 | The Union of the Parliaments: theActs of Unionare passed by both the Scottish and English parliaments. | |
1715 | Jacobite rising of 1715. | |
1745 | Jacobite rising of 1745. | |
1746 | TheBattle of Cullodenends thelast Jacobite rising. | |
1748 | David HumepublishesAn Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. | |
1754 | Joseph Blackdiscovers "fixed air" (carbon dioxide). | |
1768 | TheEncyclopædia Britannica First Editioncommences publication. | |
1769 | James Wattpatents idea for separate condensing chamber in thesteam engine. | |
1775 | Passage of theColliers and Salters (Scotland) Act 1775commences the removal of life bondage of coal and salt workers.[2] | |
1776 | Adam SmithpublishesThe Wealth of Nations. |
19th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1802 | John Playfairpublishes summary ofJames Hutton's theories of geology. | |
1805 | The Glasgow Heraldnewspaper first published. | |
1817 | The Scotsmannewspaper first published. | |
1820 | The "Radical War". | |
1822 | Visit of King George IV to Scotlandorganized by SirWalter Scott. | |
1832 | TheReform Actenlarges the franchise. | |
1843 | TheDisruptionin theChurch of Scotland(over the issue of patronage). | |
1846 | Beginning of the ten-yearHighland Potato Famine. | |
1847 | TheUnited Presbyterian Church of Scotlandis established. | |
1864 | James Clerk Maxwellpresents equations describing electromagnetic fields. | |
1874 | Patronage abolished in theChurch of Scotland. | |
1878 | Collapse of theCity of Glasgow Bank. | |
1879 | William Ewart Gladstoneconducts theMidlothian campaignas part of a political comeback. | |
TheTay Bridge disaster. | ||
1885 | Creation of theScottish Officeand the post of Secretary for Scotland, laterSecretary of State for Scotland. | |
1890 | Opening of theForth Railway Bridge. | |
1896 | Opening of theGlasgow Subway. |
20th century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
1919 | 31 January | TheBattle of George Square |
1929 | TheChurch of Scotlandand theUnited Free Church of Scotlandunite. | |
1934 | Scottish National Partyfounded. | |
1938 | TheEmpire Exhibition, Scotlandis held atBellahouston Park,Glasgow. | |
1941 | TheClydebank Blitz(13–15 March). | |
1943 | Creation of theNorth of Scotland Hydro-Electric Boardto bring electricity to all parts of the Highlands and Islands. | |
1945 | FirstScottish NationalistMPis elected. | |
1947 | Nationalisation of the railways – theScottish Region of British Railwaysis created. | |
The firstEdinburgh International Festivalis held. | ||
1950 | TheStone of Destinyis removed fromWestminster Abbey. | |
1957 | Scottish Televisionstarts broadcasting. | |
1968 | TheGeneral Assembly of the Church of Scotlandpermits the ordination of women as ministers. | |
1975 | Local government reorganisation(replacing Counties and Burghs for administrative purposes with Regions and Districts). | |
1978 | Launch ofBBC Radio Scotland. | |
1979 | Referendumto create a Scottish Assembly wins a majority but fails to win 40% of electorate. Act is therefore repealed without being put into effect. | |
1988 | Terrorists blow upPan Am Flight 103overLockerbiewith the loss of 270 lives, including 11 residents of the town. | |
1995 | Local government reorganisation(replacing the Regions and Districts with single-tier councils). | |
1996 | TheStone of Destinyis permanently returned to Scotland, to be housed inEdinburgh Castle. | |
1997 | Newly electedLabourUK Governmentunder the leadership of Scots-born Prime MinisterTony Blairlegislates for a referendum on a devolvedScottish Parliamentwhich is passed by a large majority. | |
1999 | AScottish Parliamentsits for the first time in 272 years.Donald Dewarof theScottish Labour Partyelected asFirst Ministerand formsScottish Executivein coalition with theScottish Liberal Democrats. |
21st century
[edit]Year | Date | Event |
---|---|---|
2004 | 9 October | Opening of the newScottish Parliament Building. |
2007 | TheScottish National Partybecome the largest party in the Scottish Parliament and forms a minority government. | |
2011 | TheScottish National PartyunderAlex Salmondgain an overall majority of theScottish Parliament. | |
2013 | TheChurch of Scotland's ruling General Assembly votes to allow actively gay men and women to become ministers. | |
2014 | 18 September | Scotland has a referendum on national independence. Result is to remain part of the UK, by 55% to 45%. |
2015 | TheScottish National Partywins 4.7% of the popular vote in the UK General Election, securing 56 out of the 59 seats in Scotland out of 650 seats in total across the UK. | |
2022 | 8 September | The longest reigning monarch of theUnited Kingdom,Elizabeth II,diesatBalmoral CastleinAberdeenshire. |
2023 | 15 February | Nicola Sturgeonannounces resignation asFirst Minister of Scotlandand leadership of theScottish National Party. |
2023 | 28 March | Humza Yousafis elected as theFirst Minister of Scotlandand new leader ofScottish National Partyin the first contested leadership election in the SNP in nearly twenty years. |
2024 | 4 July | TheScottish Labour Partywins 40% of the popular vote in Scotland in the UK General Election and became the largest party in theUK Parliamentin terms of Scottish seats. |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^David Ross,Chronology of Scottish History(2002) has details for every year.
- ^Mantoux, Paul (1964).The Industrial Revolution in the Eighteenth Century.Jonathan Cape. p. 74.ISBN9781136585593.