National Museum of Scotland on Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland

The museum’s Scotland section features artifacts and displays related to Scotland’s history, from prehistoric times to the modern era.

National Museum of Scotland: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF

The National Museum of Scotland was formed in 2006 when the Royal Museum and the Museum of Scotland merged. This merger allowed for the combination of their diverse collections and expertise, resulting in an impressive and comprehensive range of exhibits.

Scotland History section offers insights into Scotland’s ancient cultures, notable figures, and significant historical events.

The Stewarts, also spelled as Stuarts, are one of the most significant and influential royal families in Scottish history. They were a royal house that played a crucial role in shaping Scotland’s monarchy, as well as its connections with other European countries.

Origins: The Stewart family’s Scottish lineage traces back to Walter FitzAlan, who became the High Steward of Scotland during the 12th century. His grandson, Robert Stewart, inherited the title and established the Stewart dynasty.

Robert II: The first monarch of the Stewart dynasty was Robert II, who ascended to the Scottish throne in 1371. He was previously known as Robert Stewart, the High Steward of Scotland, and he became king at the age of 55. He was a wise and capable ruler, and his reign saw relative stability and the consolidation of the Stewart’s power.

Stewart Monarchs: Several Stewart monarchs followed Robert II, including Robert III, James I, James II, James III, James IV, James V, and Mary, Queen of Scots. Each ruler had their unique challenges and contributions to Scotland’s history.

Perhaps the most famous Stewart monarch was James VI of Scotland, who also became James I of England after inheriting the English throne in 1603. This event marked the beginning of the Union of the Crowns, as James VI/I united the crowns of England and Scotland, though the two countries remained separate entities.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was a prominent historical figure who played a significant role in the history of Scotland, France, and England. She was born on December 8, 1542, and was the daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. Mary became queen of Scotland just six days after her birth when her father passed away.

The Covenanters were a group of Scottish Presbyterians who played a significant role in the religious and political history of Scotland during the 17th century. The term “Covenanter” originated from the signing of several important religious covenants or agreements that expressed their commitment to uphold their religious beliefs and resist interference in their church affairs.

The persecution of the Covenanters continued until the Glorious Revolution of 1688 when King James VII of Scotland (James II of England) was deposed. William of Orange and his wife Mary, both Protestants, were invited to rule jointly, and they accepted the Declaration of Rights, which granted religious freedom and recognized the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

The people called Scots migrated from Ireland to Scotland in the 4th and 5th centuries, and this is where the name Scotland comes from.

The original people of Scotland were various Celtic tribes who inhabited the region long before recorded history. These Celtic tribes included the Picts, the Gaels, and the Britons. Over time, these tribes intermingled, migrated, and formed different kingdoms and communities, contributing to the rich tapestry of Scotland’s early history.

A bit of church history in Scotland

The National Covenant was a significant historical document in the history of Scotland. It was a religious and political agreement signed in 1638 by thousands of Scots to resist the religious reforms imposed by King Charles I and to defend the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

The context of the National Covenant goes back to the early 17th century when King James VI of Scotland (who also became James I of England) and his son Charles I attempted to centralize religious and political control over the British Isles. They sought to impose episcopacy (a form of church governance with bishops) on the Scottish Presbyterian Church, which was firmly rooted in the principles of Presbyterianism, where church governance is carried out by elected elders.

The Covenanters, as those who signed the National Covenant came to be known, saw these attempts as a threat to their religious freedom and believed that the Scottish Church should remain independent from the control of the English Crown. They saw the Presbyterian system as the only legitimate and biblical form of church governance.

Scotland Transformed

The Jacobite challenge in Scotland refers to a series of uprisings and rebellions that took place between the late 17th and mid-18th centuries in an attempt to restore the exiled Stuart dynasty to the throne of Great Britain. The Stuarts were a Catholic royal family, and their claim to the throne was challenged by the ruling Protestant Hanoverian dynasty.

Movement of people in Scotland during ancient times

Ancient artifacts

Ancient Religious Artifacts