Originally published in 1936 and authored by an ardent Scottish Nationalist and convert to Roman Catholicism, this concise book begins in the Gaelic era and charts the turbulent history of Catholicism in Scotland from then to the early 20^th Century through the Norman Conquest of England and the coming of Saint Margaret. The contribution of the unbroken line of Stuart Kings to the national consciousness is emphasized and an outspoken account of the origins of John Knox’s Presbyterian movement given. The book also discusses the persecution of Catholic missionaries in the...

Originally published in 1973, the emphasis of this study is on the Scottish settlers during the first quarter of the 17^th Century. It shows that the ‘Plantation’, although a milestone in Ireland’s past is also of considerable importance in Scotland’s history. The society that produced Scottish settlers is examined and the reasons why they left their homeland analysed. The book explains what effect the Scottish migration had upon both Ireland and Scotland and assesses the extent to which James I was personally involved in the promotion of the ‘Plantation’ scheme.

Originally published in 1988, this biography was the result of 15 years research, including unearthing 70,000 letters and documents among the Stuart Papers which had hitherto lain largely untapped. Written in many different languages, some were damaged, written in code, or unsigned and undated. Deciphering them therefore made it possible to gain a new level of insight into Bonnie Prince Charlie as a man, his relationship with his exiled father, the role played by France and the true nature of the events leading up to the bloody campaign of 1745 in which he attempted to win back the throne...

Originally published in 1946, this book presents in what can arguably be described as an unusual way, a slice of Scottish social life by applying to prehistory the principles of Marxism as practised by Soviet scholars of Russian prehistory. Using archaeological evidence, the author distinguishes 6 stages – from the earliest definable groups of immigrants to the Iron Age. There are 10 appendices, devoted to the typology and classification of tombs, pottery, implements and fortifications.

Originally published in 1935, this book’s author was both a nationalist and internationalist who believed that these positions were complementary, not in conflict with each other. This concise volume doesn’t merely discuss the significance of literature in Scottish history but also charts that literary heritage. Examining native and foreign influences from Ireland and Scandinavia, the book also examines the role literature has played in the formation of the national identity of Scotland.

Originally published in 1952, this book analyses the constitutional, religious, economic and social conditions of the two countries in the late sixteenth century and surveys the complicated history of the following century. The Reformation made possible a transformation of Anglo-Scottish relations. Owing to the difference of institutions, traditions, and ideals, the alternative to absolutism was in the earlier instance the Cromwellian Protectorate and in the later the movement toward national separation arrested only by the contract of the Act of Union. This book charts the history of...

Originally published in 1972 and ahead of its time in many respects this book was the first to take a constructive approach to the problems facing the human race in the 20^th Century. It remains enduringly relevant today and discusses over-population, under-employment, atmospheric pollution, exhaustion of global resources and geo-politics. It shows how all these issues are inter-connected and therefore how conventional attempts to solve some of them merely exacerbate others. It asserts that the solution rests in the evolution of a realistic form of politics which puts the...

Originally published in 1975, and written by an authority on Scottish music, this book traces the evolution of the bagpipe whilst also narrating the fortunes of the ‘Great Highland Bagpipe’ itself. Exploring history and archaeology of civilizations as far removed from the Scottish Highlands as Egypt and Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome this book offers a unique full-length history of one of the world’s most interesting and ancient musical instruments. Appendices list the bagpipes of other countries and the materials used in the instrument’s manufacture as well as a comprehensive...

Originally published in 1966, this was the first book on this subject to be published for over a hundred years. It covers all facets including little-known types of Gaelic song, the bagpipes and their music, including the esoteric subject of pibroch, the Ceol Mor or ‘Great Music’ of the pipes. It gives a comprehensive review of the fiddle composers and their music, and of the Clarsach and its revival, with an example of all-but-extinct Scottish harp music. A chapter is devoted to the music of Orkney and Shetland and the book contains over 100 examples of music many of which were from...