The Honours of Scotland tells the turbulent story of the Honours - Scotland's crown jewels - and the equally dramatic tale of the Stone of Destiny.Over the centuries, Scotland's monarchy experienced relentless conflict and shifts in power. But throughout all of the struggles, there remained one stalwart reminder of the authority of the monarchy: the Honours of Scotland. For centuries, these priceless objects were entangled in the intrigues of Scottish noble and royal families. Hidden, stolen, mended, remade - and now taking pride of place on display in Edinburgh Castle - their survival depended on the brave actions of many Scots.Existing at the crossroads of myth and tradition, ceremony and legitimacy, the Honours and the Stone of Destiny transcended the sway of individual kings and queens to become proud symbols of Scottish identity and power.

This book brings unusually brings together work on 15th century and the 16th century Scottish history, asking questions such as: How far can medieval themes such as OCylordshipOCO function in the late 16th-century world of Reformation and state formation? How"e;

Can Scotland be considered an English colony? Is its experience and literature comparable to that of overseas postcolonial countries? Or are such comparisons no more than patriotic victimology to mask Scottish complicity in the British Empire and justify nationalism? These questions have been heatedly debated in recent years, especially in the run-up to the 2014 referendum on independence, and remain topical amid continuing campaigns for more autonomy and calls for a post-Brexit “indyref2.” Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination offers a general introduction to the emerging field of postcolonial Scottish studies, assessing both its potential and limitations in order to promote further interdisciplinary dialogue. Accessible to readers from various backgrounds, the book combines overviews of theoretical, social, and cultural contexts with detailed case studies of literary and nonliterary texts. The main focus is on internal divisions between the anglophone Lowlands and traditionally Gaelic Highlands, which also play a crucial role in Scottish–English relations. Silke Stroh shows how the image of Scotland’s Gaelic margins changed under the influence of two simultaneous developments: the emergence of the modern nation-state and the rise of overseas colonialism.

This lively and erudite cultural history of Scotland, from the Jacobite defeat of 1745 to the death of an icon, Sir Walter Scott, in 1832, examines how Scottish identity was experienced and represented in novel ways. Weaving together previously unpublished archival materials, visual and material culture, dress and textile history, Viccy Coltman re-evaluates the standard clichés and essentialist interpretations which still inhibit Scottish cultural history during this period of British and imperial expansion. The book incorporates familiar landmarks in Scottish history, such as the visit of George IV to Edinburgh in August 1822, with microhistories of individuals, including George Steuart, a London-based architect, and the East India Company servant, Claud Alexander. It thus highlights recurrent themes within a range of historical disciplines, and by confronting the broader questions of Scotland's relations with the rest of the British state it makes a necessary contribution to contemporary concerns.

Can you imagine a different Scotland, a Scotland where women are commemorated in statues and streets and buildings - even in the hills and valleys? This is a guidebook to that alternative nation, where the cave on Staffa is named after Malvina rather than Fingal, and Arthur's Seat isn't Arthur's, it belongs to St Triduana. Where you arrive into Dundee at Slessor Station and the Victorian monument on Stirling's Abbey Hill interprets national identity not as a male warrior but through the women who ran hospitals during the First World War. The West Highland Way ends at Fort Mary. The Old Lady of Hoy is a prominent Orkney landmark. And the plinths in central Glasgow proudly display statues of suffragettes. In this 'imagined atlas' fictional streets, buildings, statues and monuments are dedicated to real women, telling their often untold or unknown stories.For most of recorded history, women have been sidelined, if not silenced, by men who named the built environment after themselves. Now is the time to look unflinchingly at Scotland's heritage and bring those women who have been ignored to light. Sara Sheridan explores beyond the traditional male-dominated histories to reveal a new picture of Scotland's history and heritage.

So, you thought you knew everything you needed to about Scotland and its chequered history? Well, think again. Did you know that tobacco made up half of Scotland's exports in the eighteenth century? Did you know that JM Barrie created the name 'Wendy' for his play Peter Pan in 1904, meaning that there are no Wendys over the age of 104...? Did you know that The Beatles played at Dingwall Town Hall in 1963? See? John KV Eunson leads us through the history of the Scots in this accurate but none-too-heavy look at the great country. On a journey of almost breakneck speed full of chuckles, we still have enough time to stop and smell the heather, taste the fudge and feel the ghosties.

This collection of essays demonstrates the vitality of the political, cultural and religious history of Scotland in the era of the Renaissance and Reformation. It includes essays on politics, religion and towns, and on the literature and culture of the royal court and the common people. The essays all illuminate the ‘long sixteenth century’, c.1500-1650, which has been established as a distinct period. Contributors include: Sharon Adams, Steve Boardman, Jane E. A. Dawson, E. Patricia Dennison, Helen Dingwall, David Ditchburn, Julian Goodare, Ruth Grant, Theo van Heijnsbergen, Amy L. Juhala, Roderick J. Lyall, Alasdair A. MacDonald, Alan R. MacDonald, Maureen M. Meikle, Jamie Reid-Baxter, Laura A. M. Stewart, Andrea Thomas, Jenny Wormald, and Michael J. Yellowlees. Publications by Michael Lynch: Edited by A.A. MacDonald, Michael Lynch and Ian B. Cowan, The Renaissance in Scotland, ISBN: 978 90 04 10097 8

Explore Scotland's most famous castle -- home to kings and queens, the site of historic battles, and probably the best-known place in Scotland. Published in partnership with history experts at Edinburgh Castle and Historic Environment Scotland, this fun, fact-packed book includes everything you need to know about the castle's 1000-year history: -- Its most famous residents and treasures -- Who attacked the castle, and who tried to defend it -- Its dank dungeons and the prisoners who tried to escape -- The terrible battles and incredible sieges -- The secrets and the mysteriesConveying fascinating facts through simple words and loads of historically accurate illustrations, Edinburgh Castle for Kids will appeal to a wide age range of young visitors from all over the world.Each section includes a fun activity -- mazes, doodling and colouring, spot the difference, untangle, search and find and join the dots.With a mix of brilliant facts and enjoyable activities, Edinburgh Castle for Kids is the ultimate guide for kids to Scotland's most famous landmark -- whether you've visited or not!

Nova Scotia has kept an incredible secret for centuries. In 1795, sixteen-year-old John Smith, convinced he’s found buried treasure, digs down into a mysterious pit on a small island. In present day Nova Scotia, twelve-year-old Elisabeth London knows there’s no such thing as magic, but when she finds herself in 17th century Scotland, she no longer knows what to think. While under the guardianship of a kind-hearted Highlander, Elisabeth discovers his ancestral home holds a mystery of its own. As John continues to dig the strange pit, he inadvertently begins the longest running, most expensive, and deadliest treasure hunt in history. Now, Elisabeth London and John Smith each try to unravel the secrets consuming them, unaware that a tormented young man holds the string weaving all of their lives together. For Elisabeth, the adventure is just beginning. Unless her parents discover she’s time-traveling. Then…she is so grounded.