History of Scots politics Ever since John Barbour put quill to parchment in the 1370s, people have been debating and discussing political matters on paper through the Scots language, and long before that era, in Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse. Of course, Latin (whether directly or through French) and Greek have also helped to colour and shape our political discourse down through the centuries.
Politics of Privy Council 1546-1550 In the 15th & 16th centuries the monarchs advisers were accustomed to meeting together to the running of the kingdom.
Sir William Kirkcaldy 1570 Sir William Kirkcaldy was the member of a landed Fife family and spent years as a soldier in France before returning to Scotland in 1559.
Aganis the Weiris 1586 A poem composed by Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington (1496-1586) who had a long career in the Scottish government under James V, Queen Mary
John Nicoll & the English Invasion In 1603 James VI of Scotland had succeeded to the thrones of England & Ireland, but his attempt at a political union between his kingdoms had failed.
Treaty of Union 1707 There are few more controversial episodes in the history of Scotland than the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland.
Adam Skirving's Johnnie Cope In 1685 James VII & II succeeded his brother Charles II as king. James, who had become Catholic, was unpopular because of his religion & his style of rule
Bread and Butter Politics The article below On the Price of Meal, originally appeared in a journal from Paisley named The Scotchman, and dates to around the year 1800.
Punch on Scots In 1707 England and Scotland were joined by the terms of the Treaty of Union, which created a new state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
James Leatham`s Politics Aberdeen-born James Leatham was a journalist and socialist who became editor of the Peterhead Sentinel in 1897.
Human Rights Declaration On 10 December 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Edinburgh Agreement Since the late 19th century people in Scotland have campaigned variously for devolution and independence.
Political Crack in Scots It is self evident that from the Middle Ages until the 18th century the Scots language evolved as a medium for spoken political debate