From green forests to gigantic mountains and long rivers, Scotland is definitely a country filled with interesting facts. This lush and beautiful country has a unique natural environment filled with green open spaces and luscious foliage. However, this beautiful nation also has a rich history that not many people are aware of.
According to National Geographic’s data, Scotland has been populated for around 12,000 years with a rich and complex history. It all began in 43 AD after the Romans’ successful invasion of Britain. They fought with native Scots, previously called Caledonians. Since then, many momentous occasions have occurred throughout the land.
Here are some fascinating facts about Scottish history that you should know about. Discover the secrets behind their historical background, past political affairs, famous leaders, and other nation-wide phenomena that might not be present in some history books.
Scotland does not have a pure genetic heritage.
You read that right; there is no genetically pure Scot. No common ancestral or genetic heritage links the people of Scotland to a single genetic race. Instead, the country’s population is from various tribes in the land that came together to campaign against Roman imperialism. Their federations have led to the establishment of the kingdoms.
These “original” people from different tribes did not see themselves as Scottish. However, they were pushed to group together and worked as one to achieve a common goal. Ancient Scotland comprises four groups: Angles, Britons, Picts, and Gaels. Each of them spoke different languages, but the country came to speak a common language (Latin) after Scotland’s Christianisation in the 6th century AD.
The “first king” was not really the first king of Scotland.
Kenneth McAlpin, the first king of Scotland, contrary to popular belief, was not the first king. McAlpin took advantage of Picts at the time when his military was severely weakened by outrageous Viking raids. He was able to unite the kingdoms of the Gaels and Pictavia and ruled over Scotland north of the River Forth. The professionals behind www.jacobitetrail.co.uk explain that the king of Picts was a title bestowed upon McAlpin at his coronation on Moot Hill at Scone, Perthshire, in 843 AD, making it one of the most fascinating periods in Scotland’s history. This was how the territorial borders of Scotland were gradually extended in the north and south.
Sectarianism occurred outside of the west coast area.
In middle-class Edinburgh, one of the worst conflicts in the 20th century of Catholic and Protestant rivalry occurred. John Cormack, a rabble-rouser, led the Protestant Action Society, harassing Catholics and using violence to their advantage. Catholic employees were sacked by their employers, priests were spat on, and Sunday congregations received verbal and physical assault.
Large events in the Catholic Church’s calendar were disrupted by massive protests. There was even a riot back in 1935 wherein around 20,000 Protestants attacked against the Eucharist Congress at the Catholic convent in Morningside. This violent act of activism was rewarded, and the Protestant Action won in municipal elections by 31.97% of the Edinburgh vote. However, the nation-wide popularity of Cormack and the Protestant Action ended during the outbreak of war in 1939. This event shoved sectarianism to the unnoticed side of Edinburgh politics. Still, Cormack was able to hold his seat in the Town Council until his death in the 1960s.
Scotland was the highest recipient of American inward investment from 1945 to 1970
Small as it is, Scotland’s central belt was the witness to the arrival of some prominent American corporations, namely IBM, Timex, National Cash Registers, and many more. They came to the country to open British and European markets. Opening a larger market allowed them to rise further in the industry. There were also many educated and highly-skilled workers with relatively low wages that these large companies could take advantage of. These American corporations also benefited from the absence of language barriers, allowing them to freely communicate with Scottish people through the English language.
Scotland has been conquered.
Historical claims of Scotland boasting about their undefeated reign is absolute nonsense. Although the Romans found it relatively difficult to conquer Caledonia, it had not been entirely impossible for other armies. In fact, Cromwell’s New Model Army inflicted quite the damage when they defeated the Scots at Dunbar in 1650.
Around 2,000 Scottish people were killed, and more than 10,000 were imprisoned, including most of their leaders. Scotland became a “free state and Commonwealth of England” with 29 out of 31 shires and 44 out of 58 royal burghs agreeing to the “Tender of Union” declaration of England.
Overall, Scotland has some amazing historical facts that you are yet to discover. William Knox’s coverage of Scottish history will let you explore the story of this amazing nation. Who knew that its beautiful landscapes and vast lochs have witnessed so much history?