For early history, see also Britain, ancient;
Celt; Pict.
4th century BC Celts reached British Isles.
1st century AD Romans prevented by Picts from
penetrating far into Scotland. 5th-6th
centuries Christianity introduced from
Ireland. 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin united
kingdoms of Scotland. 946 Malcolm I conquered
Strathclyde. 1015 Malcolm II conquered
Lothian.
1263 Defeat of Haakon, king of Norway, at
Battle of Largs. 1266 Scotland gained
Hebrides from Norway at Treaty of Perth. 1292
Scottish throne granted by Edward I
(attempting to annex Scotland) to John
Baliol. 1297 Defeat of England at Stirling
Bridge by Wallace. 1314 Robert Bruce defeated
English at Bannockburn. 1328 Scottish
independence recognized by England. 1371
First Stuart king, Robert II.
1513 James IV killed at Battle of Flodden.
1540s-1550s Knox introduced Calvinism to
Scotland. 1565 Mary Queen of Scots married
Darnley. 1566 Rizzio murdered.
1567 Darnley murdered.
1568 Mary fled to England.
1578 James VI took over government.
1587 Mary beheaded.
1592 Presbyterianism established. 1603 James
VI became James I of England. 1638 Scottish
rebellion against England. 1643 Solemn League
and Covenant.
1651-1660 Cromwell conquered Scotland. 1679
Covenanters defeated at Bothwell Brig. 1689
Jacobites defeated at Killiecrankie. 1692
Massacre of Glencoe.
1707 Act of Union with England.
1715, 1745 Failed Jacobite risings against
England. 18th and 19th centuries Highland
clearances: tenant farmers evicted to make
way for sheep. 1945 First Scottish member of
Parliament elected. 1979 Referendum on
Scottish directly elected assembly failed.
1989 Local rates replaced by `poll tax'
despite wide opposition. 1990 350,000
warrants issued by March for nonpayment of
poll tax.