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History of Scotland

Journey back in time, and discover ancient Scotland preserved in its peat, sand, and stones. Probe Scotland’s tumultuous past through its cairns, brochs, castles, and museums. Come and discover the lands of your ancestors and the origins of your clan or family.

Scotland is for anyone who loves history. A country steeped in adventure, epic battles, conspiracy, and intrigue. Scotland is like a time machine, whether you explore a castle or a battle site such as Culloden Moor, it’s like stepping back in time.

  

 

If you have a passion for history and heritage, the following links will assist in planning your holiday:

• VisitScotland’s Ancestral Scotland website.
  
• Historic Scotland safeguards the nation's historic environment and promotes its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers with over 300 properties within their care.
  
• National Trust for Scotland – Established in 1931, The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.  
• Historic Battle Sites - There are a great many battle sites to explore all over Scotland.
• A crofter’s way of life – Just one example of how they lived long ago.
• History of Scottish Fishing - Spectacularly situated on the harbour front in Anstruther, in the heart of the Fife fishing community, the Scottish Fisheries Museum tells the story of fishing in Scotland and its people from earliest times to the present.
• The Scottish Crannog Centre – A crannog is a type of ancient loch-dwelling found throughout Scotland and Ireland dating from 5,000 years ago. Many crannogs were built out in the water as defensive homesteads and represented symbols of power and wealth. The Scottish Crannog Centre features a unique reconstruction of an early Iron Age loch-dwelling, built by the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology(STUA).
• Recumbent Stone Circles - Recumbent Stone Circles are a distinctive type of stone circle found in North East Scotland.
• Scotland’s Earth Heritage and Landscape.
• Rampant Lion - This section covers Clans, Clan Societies, Families, Tartans, Kilts and Highland dress generally. Links to Regiments and Scottish historical Re-enactment organisations and Scots at Home and Abroad are also here. Elsewhere, the Genealogy section of Rampant Scotland Directory also contains references to some clan/family histories while Clan/Family Histories section covers over 100 Scottish surnames.
• Clan Map of Scotland.