Want to know more about Scotland and its history? Why not dip into our specially selected weblinks, books and courses?

Free learning resources from OpenLearn Scotland

• Scottish History – these units introduce learners to Scotland's rich heritage and also to its wider European and international context.
• Great Scots – Scotland seems to have more than its fair share of famous men and women. In this section we look in detail at the lives and work of four great Scots: John Napier, James Clerk Maxwell, Robert Owen and David Hume.
• Politics and society in Scotland – the first three units in this section consider issues of nationalism, political devolution and the role of nation-regions in the European Union. The final two units consider social issues such as geographical identity and poverty in Scotland.

Courses

• Making sense of the arts (Y160) – this course introduces some of the key ideas and ways of thinking involved in studying the arts and humanities and introduces several different areas of study including history, art history and poetry.
• Heritage, whose heritage? (A180) – this course will help you explore the key issues affecting heritage decision-making by institutions and public organisations and debates around what to do with objects, buildings and places.
• Archaeology: the science of investigation (SA188) – in this course, you’ll develop an appreciation of the processes involved in the discovery, investigation and interpretation of a wide variety of artefacts and archaeological sites.
• An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland (W150) – this course will help you to find out about the Scottish legal system and its role in modern society.
• The arts past and present (AA100) – this is a broadly focused course that introduces you to the Arts across a range of subject areas, including history, art history, philosophy, classical studies, history of science, religious studies, music and English.
• Exploring history: medieval to modern 1400-1900 (A200) – in this course, you’ll study some of the people, places and events that were significant in the development of the modern Western and Atlantic world.
• From Enlightenment to Romanticism c.1780-1830 (A207) – on this course you will study some of the great works of European art, music and literature, and other original and thought-provoking works produced across a period which marks the advent of the modern world.

Through a collaborative scheme with the University of Dundee, The Open University is also able to offer two comprehensive courses on Scottish history:

• Modern Scottish History (CDDR300) – this course explores Scotland's history over the past three hundred years, a period witnessing the transformation of the nation from an agrarian society to a leading industrial power. Beginning with the Union of 1707, it takes you right up to the latest constitutional developments.
• Medieval and Early Modern Scotland 1100-1707 (CDDR320) – this course explores Scottish history from medieval to early modern times and the crisis leading to the Act of Union in 1707.

Websites

• A History of Scotland - BBC site
• Books in Scotland
• Historic Scotland
• The National Archives of Scotland
• National Library of Scotland
• National Trust for Scotland
• The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland
• Scottish Local History Forum
• Scran learning resources

Books

• Modern Scottish History, 1707 to the Present, vols 1 and 2
  A. Cooke, I. Donnachie, A. McSween and C.A. Whatley (eds.) (2001-02) Edinburgh: Birlinn
• The Scottish Nation
  T.M. Devine (1999), Penguin
• Companion to Scottish History
  I. Donnachie and G.Hewitt (2007), Edinburgh: Birlinn
• Wild Scots: Four Hundred Years of Highland History
  M. Fry (2005), London: John Murray
• The Making and Unmaking of a Nation c1100-1707
  B. Harris, A. MacDonald (eds), Dundee University Press
• The New Penguin History of Scotland: From Earliest Times to the Present Day
  R.A. Houston and W.W.J. Knox (2002), Penguin
• Oxford Companion to Scottish History
  M. Lynch (1991), Oxford University Press
• A New History
  M. Lynch, Pimlico
• A History of the Scottish People
  T.C. Smout, Harper Collins
• Scottish Society 1707-1830: Beyond Jacobitism, Towards Industrialisation
  C.A.Whatley (2000), Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Content last updated: 20/10/2008

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