BC 55 | Julius Caesar (102-44 BC) landed in Britain. Present day Scotland was inhabited by the Novantae in Galloway, the Slegovae in the Tweed Valley, the Votadini in Lothian, the Merse and Damnonii around the estuary of the Clyde, and the Caledonians along the Great Glen. |
AD 80 | Julius Agricola [Roman Governor of Briton] invaded Scotland, built fortifications as far north as Strathmore. |
84 | Agricola won the battle of Mons Graupius [site uncertain] |
121 | Hadrian's Wall was built |
142 | Antonine's Wall or Graham's Dyke was built |
196 | Caledonians victorious over Romans, the land now called CALEDONIA |
209 | Campaign of Emperor Severus |
300 | Picts settled in Strathmore |
397 | St. Ninian went to Galloway and Strathclyde, introduced Catholicism |
500 | Eastern Kingdom of Manau disappeared after king Cunadag [Cunedda] was removed to North Wales. Anglians of Northumbria [northwest England] moved into the Tweed Valley, the Merse, and Lothian. SCOTTI from Ireland settled in Argyll, and formed the kingdom of Dalriada |
563 | St. Columba arrived in Iona from Ireland to convert the Scots and the Picts |
575 | Treaty of Drumceat |
597 | Death of St. Columba |
606 | Death of Aidan of Dalriada, king of Scots |
685 | Battle of Nectansmere- Northumbrian invasion north of Firth 0f Clyde defeated by Picts. |
700 | Aethelfrith King of Northumbria Extended his kingdom into Dumfries. |
794 | Beginning of Norse invasions and settlements on east, north, and west coasts of Scotland |
802 | Danes plundered Iona |
843 | Kenneth I MacAlpin [843-858] of Pict royal family is king of Scots and later also of Picts. |
942 | Malcolm I crowned |
1000 | Many TOMBSTONES at Govan with dates in the 9th and 10th centuries. |
1005 | Malcolm II Mackenneth [1005-1034] crowned king of Scots-Seen as first king of Scotland |
1018 | Battle of Carham- decisive defeat of Northumbria. Strathclyde annexed by Malcolm II |
1034 | Duncan I [1034-1040] king |
1040 | King Duncan murdered by Macbeth [1040-1057] a Pict, who reigned until defeated by Duncan's son Malcolm III Macduncan [also known as Canmore] |
1057 | Malcolm III Canmore [1057-1093], crowned after killing Macbeth. |
1069 | Marriage of Malcolm III Canmore and [Saint] Margaret. Kingdom of Scotland established. St. Margaret seems to have introduced the Rule of Benedictine Monks at Dunfermline |
1093 | Death of Malcolm and Margaret. Rival line placed on throne by those antagonistic to England. Malcolm's brother Donaldbane [1093-1094], and Duncan II [1094] |
1095 | Donaldbane [Restored 1095-1097] |
1097 | Malcolm's son Edgar [1097-1107crowned with English help. Celtic Religion suppressed. |
1098 | Magnus Barefoot claimed Western Isles |
1107 | Malcolm III's son Alexander I [1107-24] crowned as a child of 8.Alexander I founded the Augustine Houses at Scone and Inchcolm |
1124 | Alexander's brother David I [1124-1153] crowned. He, Malcolm IV, and William the Lion introduced the feudal system of landholding by bringing Norman families from England to Scotland and granting them lands in areas where the King's personal power was weak in exchange for manpower, food or other commodities: The Bruces were established in Annandale for providing 10 knights... the De Morvilles were settled in Ayrshire and Lauderdale, and the Stewarts in Renfrewshire. David I also founded the reform orders of the Cistercian houses of Melrose and Newbattle, the Tironensian house of Kelso, and the Augustinian house of Cambuskenneth. The establishing of religious houses was expensive, requiring large tracts of land to endow each house, but an excellent return in loyalty, goods, and services were received by the kings until the 15th century. |
1130 | Province of Moray forfeited to the Crown |
1138 | Battle of the Standard |
1153 | David's grandson Malcolm IV [1153-1165] crowned. Revolt against the crown by Somerled in Argyll and Galloway |
1160 | Galloway subjected to the Crown |
1164 | Death of Somerled |
1165 | William the Lion [1165-1214] |
1174 | Treaty of Falaise |
1179 | Province of Ross subdued by William the Lion [1143-1214] |
1180 | Inverness received charter from William the Lion |
1200 | Lowly paid vicars set up in churches. |
1214 | Alexander II [1198-1249] made king |
1222 | Alexander II conquered Argyll |
1249 | Alexander II died at Kerrera. Alexander III [1249-1286] crowned |
1263 | Battle of Largs Magnus V Lagaboeter, king of Norway surrendered all Norse lands to Scotland except Orkney and Shetland. |
1266 | Western Isles annexed by the Crown |
1274 | Robert the Bruce born |
1280 | The religion of Scotland is Roman Catholic. |
1286 | Alexander III died His only heir was his daughter's [who had married Eric II king of Norway] daughter Margaret [the "Disputed Succession" 1286-1290] "the Maid of Norway." A group of Barons were appointed guardians responsible for the welfare of the state while she came of age and could travel to Scotland. |
1290 | Maid of Norway died [Interregnum1290-1292]13 descendants of prior Monarchs contend |
1292 | John de Baliol[1292-1296] grandson of David I aided by Edward I of England Overlordship of English kings recognized by Scottish nobility. |
1296 | [Interregnum 1296-1306] Invasion of' Scotland by Edward I of England. Ragmans Roll issued. Revolt of William Wallace. Franco-Scottish Alliance signed |
1297 | Battle of Stirling Bridge |
1298 | Battle of Falkirk |
1305 | Execution of William Wallace |
1306 | Red Comyn killed by Robert the Bruce [1306-1329] at Dumfries. Coronation of Robert the Bruce at Scone |
1308 | Battle of Brander Pass |
1314 | Battle of Bannockburn. English invasion force destroyed by Robert the Bruce. |
1320 | Letter to the Pope asserted the Independence of Scotland |
1326 | First Scottish Parliament met |
1328 | Treaty of Northampton |
1329 | Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland died. Accession of David II Bruce [1329-1370] |
1332 | Balloil invaded Scotland. Battle of Dupplin |
1333 | Battle of Halidon Hill |
1346 | Battle of Neville's Cross |
1371 | Accession of Robert II [1371-1390], first of the Stewart Kings |
1386 | Battle of Otterburn |
1390 | Robert III [1390-1406] |
1400 | A few earlier DEEDS exist. "SASINES" registered on the county and national level at Edinburgh recorded land and immovable property transfers from this time forward. |
1406 | James I [1394-1437] captured by the English |
1411 | Battle of Harlaw |
1412 | Foundation of St. Andrews University |
1424 | James I returns to Scotland |
1429 | Battle of Drumnacoub |
1437 | James I assassinated at Perth. James II [1437-1460] |
1451 | University of Glasgow established. |
1452 | Earl of Douglas killed |
1455 | Downfall of the Black Douglases |
1460 | Death of James II. James III [1460-1488] |
1466 | Battle of Blair-na-park |
1468 | Orkney and Shetlands acquired by Scotland from Norway |
1480 | Battle of Bloody Bay near Tobermory |
1488 | Battle of Sauchieburn. James III assassinated. James IV [1488-1513] Stuart Dynasty |
1493 | End of the Lordship of the Isles. James IV visited Dunstaffnage and Mingarry Castles. |
1495 | University of Aberdeen established. James IV visits the Western Highlands 1507 Printing introduced to Scotland by Miller |
1513 | Battle of Flodden. Death of James IV. James V [1513-1542] Stuart. Coal was being mined extensively |
1514 | PROBATE: The recording of testaments (WILLS) began in Scotland, kept by the commissary courts until 1876, when shifted to county sheriff courts. |
1532 | James V visited the Highlands |
1540 | James V toured the Western Isles |
1542 | James V died. Mary [1542-1567] Queen of Scots born at Linlithgow |
1544 | Battle of blar-na-leine |
1547 | Battle of Pinkie |
l550 | Death of MacKinnon, last abbot of Iona |
1552 | The "OLD PARISH RECORDS," or OPR. established by the General Provincial Council order that each parish keep a register of baptisms and banns of marriage. Some deaths. Most have been numbered, stored, and microfilmed at the Registrar General's Office. |
1553 | The earliest known Scottish PARISH RECORDS were created at Errol, Perthshire. |
1559 | John Knox returned from Geneva |
1560 | Scottish Parliament established Calvinism, Roman Catholicism was abolished. Records previously kept by the commissary courts under the Bishop's jurisdiction were disrupted. |
1561 | Mary Queen of Scots returned from France to Scotland |
1562 | Mary Queen of Scots visited Inverness |
1563 | Queen Mary established new commissary courts under the jurisdiction of the crown |
1567 | James VI [1567-1625] |
1568 | Battle of Langside |
1570 | Regent Moray murdered by nobles |
1571 | Regent Lennox slain |
1572 | John Knox died. Regent Mar died |
1579 | Bible printed in Scotland for first time |
1581 | Presbyterian Church was established as the Church of Scotland |
1582 | The University of Edinburgh was established |
1588 | Spanish Armada ship sunk off Tobermory |
1592 | The Presbyterian Church was formally established. All ministers were equal. There were no bishops, and secular commissaries were appointed by the crown |
1594 | Battle of Glenlivet |
1597 | Highlanders gave assistance to Queen Elizabeth I of England |
1600 | Scotland changes New Year's Day to January 1. |
1602 | Battle of Glenfruin |
1603 | Union of the Crowns |
1606 | Coal and salt miners became virtual slaves. Beggars, vagrants and those guilty of minor crimes were forced into lifelong bondage in the mine |
1607 | MacKenzie of Kintail acquired the island Lewis |
1608 | The Plantation of Ulster, which is now the Province of Ulster in Ireland was formed. It was divided and sold to purchasers from England and Scotland. These purchasers took many laborers or farmers from Scotland to cultivate the land. |
1610 | Episcopal Church proclaimed the church of Scotland by James VI. Presbyterians were persecuted, lands and churches confiscated, records lost. |
1614 | Islay granted to Campbells of Cawder |
1617 | A law was passed requiring that SASINE REGISTERS be kept |
1625 | James VI died Charles I [1625-1649] also king of England. |
1633 | Charles I (1600-49) visited Scotland |
1638 | National Covenant signed abolishing Episcopacy and vowing loyalty to Presbyterian religion by the General Assembly of Presbyterians at Glasgow |
1640 | An estimated 5% of the parishes of the Presbyterian Church were keeping records |
1641 | Charles I and the English Parliament acknowledged the Presbyterian Church in Scotland |
1642 | Civil War. Scotland supported Oliver Cromwell. |
1644 | Battle of Tippermuir |
1645 | Battle of Inverlochy. Montrose ravaged Argyll. Battle of Philiphaugh. Montrose defeated. Each county and burgh was ordered to raise and maintain a certain amount of foot soldiers, according to its population, to serve as a militia. The population of Scotland was estimated to be about 420,000. The dreaded plague made its last appearance in Scotland. |
1646 | Charles I persuaded Scotsmen to fight in his favor. Some settled in the border area and some moved to England. |
1647 | Garrison at Dunaverty massacred by General Leslie |
1649 | Charles I executed. Charles II (1630-85) proclaimed king [Commonwealth Rule1649-1660] |
1650 | Execution of Montrose. Battle of Dunbar. Battle of Invercarron |
1651 | Battle of Inverleithing. Battle of Worcester. Scottish prisoners were transported by Cromwell to the English settlements in America |
1653 | Scotland taken under the Protectorate |
1660 | Restoration of Charles II [1660-1685] to the throne |
1661 | Episcopacy was reestablished under Charles II. Once again the commissariat records were under the control of the bishops and parish registers suffered. Execution of the Marquis of Argyll |
1662 | First Quakers settled in Scotland |
1666 | Pentland Rising occurred in north |
1672 | An act was passed by the Scottish Parliament making the REGISTRATION OF FAMILY COAT OF ARMS COMPULSORY |
1679 | Battle of Drumclog |
1682 | Sir George Mackenzie founded the Library of Advocates in Edinburgh, and valuable books and manuscripts were acquired. In 1925 it became the National Library of Scotland |
1685 | Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Charles II died. Earl of Argyll invaded Scotland and was executed in Edinburgh. James VII (James II of England) [1685-1688] |
1688 | Rebellion broke out in England and Scotland against the Roman Catholic King James II of England and VII of Scotland. The king fled and was deposed. His son-in-law and daughter., William and Mary [1688-1702], were crowned king and queen |
1689 | James VII died., Battle of Killiecrankie. Battle of Dunkel |
1690 | The Presbyterian Church was permanently restored as the Church of Scotland. Scattered NONCONFORMIST records were kept by other religious groups. |
1692 | Massacre of MacLans by government troops at Glencoe |
1694 | A POLL TAX was imposed on all persons over 16, except the destitute and the insane. Each town was listed with the names of all taxable individuals living there. Most tax rolls have been lost. |
1702 | Death of William II Ann [1702-1714] Also queen of England and Ireland after 1707. |
1707 | Union with England. The countries were now known as Great Britain |
1714 | Death of Queen Anne |
1715 | The successor to Anne was a German Protestant who became known as "George I of the United Kingdom," Immediately the son of the deposed King James I., called "the Old Pretender James III" started a rebellion in Scotland known as the Jacobite Rebellion or 1715. His army marched into England but was defeated. Some-of his army remained in England, but thousands fled for their lives to America. Battle of Sheriffmuir |
1718 | The first Glasgow owned ship sailed the Atlantic. By 1800 Glasgow merchants owned more than 500 vessels. People from all parts of Scotland traveled to Glasgow for work. It gradually became a great center for shipbuilding , glass, metal, weaving and other industries. BURGESS and GUILD- BRETHREN records kept. |
1719 | More Jacobite Uprising. battle of Glenshiel |
1725 | Major Road Construction began in the highlands |
1727 | George I died |
1734 | Secession Church broke off from the Church of Scotland |
1739 | Black Watch raised |
1743 | the Potato was introduced into the Highlands |
1745 | The second Jacobite uprising occurred. "Bonnie Prince Charlie" also known as "the Young Pretender" landed with an army in Scotland in an attempt to obtain the British throne., but he was defeated. 900 Scots were banished to America and the West Indies, and hundreds fled to escape punishment. The Secession Church was divided on the issue of the Burgess Oath required by the govt. after the 1745 Rebellion. The new denomination became known as the Anti-Burgers Church, with its earliest records commencing in 1747. In 1847 it united with the Free Church to become the United Presbyterian Church. |
1746 | The tobacco industry began in Scotland. Weavers from Holland were brought over to teach the Scots how to weave fine linen. Battle of Falkirk. Battle of Culloden |
1751 | During this time many men were recruited from Scotland for employment in Canada by the Hudson Bay Company, whose ships called at various ports along the coasts and in the islands of Scotland |
1752 | Three ministers seceded from the Presbyterian Church and formed the Relief hurch. By 1790 there were about 150,000 seceders from the Presbyterian Church. |
1759 | The Carron Iron Works was set up near Falkirk, Stirlingshire. Robert Burns (1759-96) was born in Alloway |
1760 | Death of George II |
1763 | Immigration was taking place from the Scottish Highlands to North America, especially from the Hebrides and from the shires of Sutherland, Inverness, and Argyll |
1767 | The lst New Testament was printed in Gaelic |
1769 | James Watt invented the steam engine, and this helped increase production of the mines and factories |
1770 | The River Clyde was deepened for shipping and Glasgow became another important port |
1771 |
