The history of Scotland before 1700 is a long and complex one, dating back to the earliest human settlement in the country. Here is a brief overview of some of the key events and periods in Scottish history:

  • Prehistoric Scotland: The earliest evidence of human settlement in Scotland dates back to the Mesolithic period (around 10,000 BC). The first farmers arrived in the Neolithic period (around 4000 BC), and the first permanent settlements were established in the Bronze Age (around 2000 BC).
  • Roman Scotland: The Romans invaded Scotland in the 1st century AD, but they were never able to conquer the whole country. The Antonine Wall, built in the 2nd century AD, was the most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire.
  • Post-Roman Scotland: After the Romans withdrew from Britain in the 5th century AD, Scotland was divided into a number of small kingdoms. The most powerful of these kingdoms were the Picts in the north and the Scots in the west.
  • Early Middle Ages: In the 9th century AD, the Picts and Scots were united under the rule of Kenneth MacAlpin, who became the first King of Scotland. The Kingdom of Scotland continued to grow and prosper in the following centuries.
  • Wars of Independence: In the 13th century, Scotland fought a series of wars against England for its independence. The Wars of Independence ended with the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when the Scots defeated the English.
  • Later Middle Ages: The 14th and 15th centuries were a time of great change and upheaval in Scotland. The country was ravaged by the Black Death in the 14th century, and the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century.
  • Reformation and Union of the Crowns: In the 16th century, Scotland underwent the Protestant Reformation. The Scottish Reformation led to the establishment of the Church of Scotland, which is still the national church of Scotland today. In 1603, the crowns of Scotland and England were united, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The history of Scotland before 1700 is a rich and complex one. It is a history of war and peace, of conquest and independence, of change and continuity. It is a history that has shaped the Scotland we know today.

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