So often, so many mistakes and errors of Scotland’s recorded histories are either ignored, or over written by the powers that be. In encyclopaedias the words Britain and England are conflated constantly – as they are often for Americans. Interchangeable terms, who don’t know their geography.
In the National,10 Feb 2026, there was an article on a book entitled:
Queen James, the Life and Loves of Britain’s first King.
Error! Britain did not come into existence until 1707 after the Union of the Parliaments.
James Stewart was King of the kingdom of Scotland and the kingdom of England.
James worked to encourage a Britain, to secure his position no doubt.
The Scottish Parliament had sat for 200 years before this union – latterly sitting in St Giles.
When I look back and read of the Scotland before union 1707, the once independent Scotland is a different country. Its a place of a confident trading nation, with the exchange of people and ideas across the continents – to Flanders Japan, the Americas. Historian Tom Devine says that Scotland has for centuries has long been an outward looking country.
The Wars of Independence with Wallace and Bruce 1314, were in fact Wars of Succession, ad civil wars. Because before this Scotland had always been an independent nation! Scotland’s first king was Kenneth I was King of dal Raida (841-850) and King of the Picts (848-858)
From the time of the Scottish Reformation (1560- 1640) Scotland’s scholars went to Paris university to study and to teach. Education was greatly encouraged for all young boys. Form 1750 to 1790 there was the Scottish enlightenment. Scots were part of the American founding fathers.
The Big Questions facing Scotland today are – is this is a union of two kingdoms supposedly, there therefore must be a route out of this failing union.
Its time we pointed out these important and crucial errors, which happen constantly. Ignorance of the past does not help our views of the present realities or our futures. There is not enough history taught in schools across Britain - compared to elsewhere. So that both sides of the border, people have more knowledge and understanding of the true histories of both Scotland and England.
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