These five volumes have been completed in time for the 300th anniversary of the parliamentary union of Scotland with England. The wealth of scholarship behind the series' expansive coverage of cultural history gives an inclusive, broad vision of Scotland's past, reflecting current historical trends. A key - and contemporary - theme throughout this series is Scotland's involvement in a broader European past.

Ditherus is tempted into buying a sword from a mysterious peddler. Searched by centurion Marcus Furius when he gets home, Ditherus is thrown into prison when the sword is discovered and sentenced to death as a traitorous thief. Ditherus and his servant are taken to Gladiator School where the motto is 'Death or Glory - but most likely Death'.

Join Bertie as he finds himself in a spot of bother with Mrs Nicely next door, crosses paths with a cheeky rodent and wins the lottery (or thinks he does)!

Pirates don't go to school! Or do they? A fantastically funny tale, perfect to reassure 'first day at school' nerves.

There's a stowaway baby on board the Salty Herring, and the crew have decided to raise him like a proper pirate. But are they really up to the task of looking after a baby? A motley crew of pirates take to parenthood in this whimsical Little Gem from the bestselling author of the Dirty Bertie series.