Riveting selections from a 15-century account of Scottish history, one of Scotland’s national treasures. Writing on a small island in the Firth of Forth in the 1440s, Walter Bower set out to tell the whole story of the Scottish nation in a single huge book, the Scotichronicon— “a history book for Scots.” It begins with the mythical voyage of Scota, the Pharaoh’s daughter, from Egypt with the Stone of Destiny. The land that her sons discovered in the Western Ocean was named after her: Scotland. It then describes the turbulent events that followed, among them the wars of the Scots and the Picts (begun by a quarrel over a dog); the poisoning of King Fergus by his wife; Macbeth’s usurpation and uneasy reign; the good deeds of Margaret, queen and saint; Bruce’s murder of the Red Comyn; the founding of Scotland’s first university at St. Andrews; the “Burnt Candlemas;” and the endless troubles between Scotland and England. Weaving in and out of the events of Bower’s factual history are other subjects that fascinated him: harrowing visions of hell and purgatory, extraordinary miracles; the exploits of knights and beggars, merchants and monks; the ravages of flood and fire; the terrors of the plague; and the answers to such puzzling questions as what makes a good king, and why Englishmen have tails. This monumental work, in which the original Latin text appears side by side with a translation in modern English, was completed in 1998. It includes an introduction and notes that guide the reader through the complexities of Bower’s history and its background.

In this book, Alistair Moffat brings vividly to life the story of this great nation, from the dawn of prehistory through to the twenty-first century. Ambitious, richly detailed and highly readable, Scotland: A History From Earliest Times skilfully weaves together a dazzling array of fact and anecdote from a vast range of sources. The result is an imaginative, informative, balanced and varied portrait of Scotland, seen not just through the experience of the kings, saints, warriors, aristocrats and politicians who populate the pages of conventional history books, but also through that of ordinary people who have lived Scotland's history and have played their own important part in shaping its destiny.

This cultural and historical study of the coast draws from a variety of sources to illuminate both the landscape of the shore and its place in American life. The work scrutinizes the fishing boats, lighthouses, wharfs, resorts, shipwrecks and people, to evoke the culture of the coast.

"A Short History of Scotland" is a book written by Andrew Lang, a Scottish author and historian. The book provides an overview of the history of Scotland, covering significant events, figures, and cultural developments from ancient times to the early 20th century. In "A Short History of Scotland," Lang takes readers on a journey through Scotland's past, offering insights into its rich and complex history. He explores the formation of Scotland as a nation, the influence of Celtic tribes, the Roman occupation, and the emergence of early Scottish kingdoms. The book delves into pivotal moments in Scottish history, including the Wars of Independence against England, the reign of notable Scottish monarchs such as Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots, and the religious conflicts of the Reformation era. Lang also highlights Scotland's cultural contributions, such as its literature, music, and intellectual heritage. He discusses the impact of Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, the emergence of the Presbyterian Church, and the country's cultural ties with Europe and the wider world. O "A Short History of Scotland" by Andrew Lang serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in gaining a general understanding of Scotland's history. It offers a concise and informative overview of the country's political, cultural, and social development, providing readers with a foundation to explore further into Scotland's fascinating past.