In 843 Kenneth McAlpin became king of the Picts and Scots, marking the first united Kingdom in Scotland.

After William the Lion surrendered the independence of Scotland to Henry II, Robert Bruce assumed the leadership of a rebellion agains the English rule in 1306 and by 1325 the English recognize Robert Bruce as the King of Scotland.

In 1560 Prostestanism is established and the authority of the pope is abolished, making the celebration of mass illegal; but not until 1592 is the Presbyterian Church formally established.

The crown of England and Scotland united in 1603, and in 1608 the Plantation of Ulster in Ireland was established to prevent Irish revolts against English rule, so that by 1640 there were about 40,000 Scots in northern Ireland.

In 1690 the Presbyterian Church is permanently restored and becomes the Church of Scotland, and in 1707 a union is formed between Scotland and England creating what is known as Great Britain.

The first Jacobite rebellion occurs in 1715 when thousands of Scots support James Edward Stuart, the "Old Pretender," as the king of Great Britain. The second Jacobite rebellion occurs thirty years later when Mary Scots supports James' son Charles Edward Stuart who was known as Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Young Pretender.

In 1746 the English defeated the forces of Chalres Edward Stuart in the Battle of Culloden. Afther this battle, the English executed many clan chiefs and outlawed kilts and bagpipes, restrictions which remained until 1782.

The Industrial Revolution began to affect Scotland in 1779 and fifty years later the Roman Catholics were permitted by law to buy and inherit property, and to keep records.

The first census of genealogical value in Scotland began in 1841 and their Civil registrations began in 1855.

These are just a few of the historical events in Scotland which will help in researching your ancestors in Scotland. Continue below for more specific detalis to further aid in your research.

Please Note: Despite the common misunderstanding, Scotland did not adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1600. Scotland changed the beginning of the year from the 25th of March to the 1st of January in 1600, but did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752 at the same time as England.

The only difference between Scotland and England is that from 1600 until 1752 Scotland's New Year started approximately 3 months before England; however, from the 25th of March to the 31st December each year both countries were in complete alignment e.g. when it was the 26 of March 1701 in Scotland, it was precisely the same date in England.

For sources on Scotland's calendar, please visit GEN UKI and/or Frequently Asked Questions about Calendars.

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Updated 12 Apr 2008
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