~Scottish Kings~

~ALPIN	~CANMORE	~STEWART
Alipn (?-834)	Malcolm III Canmore (1058-1093)	Robert II (1371-1390)
Kenneth I MacAlpin (842-858)	Donald III (1093-1094)	Robert III (1390-1406)
Donald I (858-862)	Duncan (1094)	James I (1406-1437)
Constantine I (862-876)	Donald III restored (1094-1097)	James II (1437-1460)
Aedh (876-878)	Edgar (1097-1107)	James III (1460-1488)
Eochaid (878-889)	Alexander (1107-1124)	James IV (1488-1513)
Giric (878-889)	David I (1124-1153)	James V (1513-1542)
Donald II (889-900)	Malcolm IV (1153-1165)	Mary (1542-1567) ex. 1587
Constantine II (900-943)	William I The Lion (1165-1214)	~STUART
~DUNKELD	Alexander II (1214-1249)	James VI/I (1567-1625)
Malcolm I (943-954)	Alexander III (1249-1286)	Charles I (1625-1649)
Indulf (954-962)	Margaret (1286-1292)	Charles II (1649-1685) restored 1660
Dubh (962-966)	~BALLIOL	James VII/II (1685-1689) deposed
Cuilean (966-971)	John Balliol (1292-1296)	Mary II (1689-1702)
Kenneth II (971-995)	Edward Balliol (1332-1356)	Anne I (1702-1714)
Constantine III (995-997)	~BRUCE	~STUART HEIRS
Kenneth III (997-1005)	Robert I the Bruce (1306-1329)	James VIII/III (son of James VII/II)
Malcom II (1005-1034)	David II (1329-1371)	Charles III (son of James VIII/III)
~ATHOLL
Duncan I (1034-1040)
Macbeth (1040-1057)
Lulach (1057-1058)

January 24, 76 -Birth of Publius Aelius Hadrianus, who buiilt Hadrian's Wall to cut off Scotland from the rest of Britain.

May 12, 563 -Community of Iona founded by Colum Cille (St Columba) from Ireland.

January 13, 603 -Death of St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgoww (and also known as St Kentigern).

May 20 685 -Battle of Dunnichen (also known as Nechtannsmere), south of Forfar in Angus, as a result of which the Picts stopped the advance northwards of the Angles of Northumbria.

September 23, 704 -Death of St Adamnan, biographer of St Coluumba.

September 1, 714 -Death of St Giles, patron saint of Edinburgh (and Elgin).

February 13, 858 -Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Dalriada and thee Picts, died at Forteviot.

11th Century

March 25 1005 -Malcolm II ascended the throne.

November 25, 1034 -Malcolm II died at Glamis, succeeded by Duuncan I.

August 14, 1040 -King Duncan I killed in battle at Pitgavneey, near Elgin, by his cousin Macbeth.

August 15, 1057 -Macbeth killed in battle by Malcolm at Lummphanan, near Aberdeen.

August 15, 1057 -Lulach, Macbeth's stepson, ascended the thhrone and was crowned at Scone.

March 17, 1058 -King Lulach killed by Malcolm III at Essieer, Strathbogie.

April 25, 1058 -Malcolm III (Canmore) crowned.

November 13, 1093 -King Malcolm III (Canmore), last of the Ceeltic kings was killed at the Battle of Alnwick. Succeeded by Donald III.

November 12, 1094 -King Duncan II died at Battle of Monthechiin, Kincardine.

June 21, 1098 -Priory at Coldingham founded.

12th Century 

January 8, 1107 -King Alexander I crowned.

April 23, 1124 -King Alexander I died at Stirling Castle, succeeded by David I.

August 22, 1138 -Battle of the Standard at Northallerton inn which King David I was defeated by the English.

April 9, 1139 -Second Treaty of Durham in which David I iis recognised as King of an independent Scotland by King Stephen of England.

March 20, 1141 -King Malcolm IV born.

May 24, 1153 -King David I died at Carlisle.

June 12, 1153 -Malcolm IV crowned at Scone

December 9, 1165 -King Malcolm IV died at Jedburgh Castle, ssucceeded by William I.

December 24, 1165 -King William I (Lion) crowned at Scone.

July 13, 1174 -King William surprised and captured by the English at Alnwick.

August 24, 1198 -Alexander II, son of King William I, born..

13th Century

December 4, 1214 -King William I (Lion) died at Stirling Castle and was succeeded by his son Alexander II.

December 6, 1214 -King Alexander II crowned at Scone.

November 21, 1218 -A Bull of Pope Honorius III affirmed the independence of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

September 4, 1241 -King Alexander III born at Roxburgh.

July 8, 1249 -King Alexander II died on Isle of Kerrara,, Oban Bay.

July 13, 1249 -King Alexander III crowned at Scone

October 2, 1263 -Battle of Largs - Scots defeated the Vikings who were attempting to invade.

December 15/16, 1263 -King Haakon of Norway (which at that time included Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles) died on Orkney at midnight on 15/16 December.

July 2, 1266 -Treaty of Perth, Norway renounces claim onn the Hebrides.

July 11, 1274 -Robert the Bruce born.

August 22, 1282 -Devorgilla, Countess of Galloway founded Balliol College, Oxford. She was mother of John Balliol (who acceded to the Scottish throne in 1292).

October 14, 1285 -Second marriage of King Alexander III (to Yolanda de Dreux).

March 19, 1286 -King Alexander III died after crossing the river Forth to Fife at Queensferry.

March 19, 1286 -Queen Margaret, Maid of Norway (daughter oof King Erik II) ascended the throne.

January 21, 1290 -Sweetheart Abbey, near Dumfries, founded by Devorguilla, mother of John Balliol.

September 26, 1290 -Queen Margaret, Maid of Norway ("Eiriksdottter") died, en route from Norway to Scotland.

May 30, 1291 -Claimants to the Scottish throne met King Edward I of England at Norham on Tweed to resolve succession.

November 17, 1292 -John Balliol acceded to Scottish throne.

April 1, 1295 -Robert Bruce, "The Great Competitor" and grandfather of King Robert the Bruce, died.

October 23, 1295 -Treaty between King John Balliol of Scotland and King Philippe IV of France which promised mutual help against the English - the start of the "Auld Alliance".

March 30, 1296 -King Edward I of England over-ran Berwick--upon-Tweed.

April 27, 1296 -Scots defeated by the English defenders of Dunbar Castle at Battle of Dunbar.

July 8, 1296 -King John Balliol abdicated at Montrose.

August 8, 1296 -King Edward I removed to England the Stone of Destiny on which generations of Scottish kings had been crowned.

August 28, 1296 -Edward I of England held a parliament at Berwick to which he summoned all Scottish landholders to sign the Ragman Roll.

September 11, 1297 -Battle of Stirling Bridge, Wallace defeats Edward I.

October 11, 1297 -Letter from Wallace and Moray to the mayors of Lubeck and Hamburg saying that "The Kingdom of Scotland has, by God's Grace, recovered by battle from the power of the English".

July 22, 1298 -The army of the English King Edward I, usiing longbows for the first time, defeated the Scots led by Sir William Wallace at Battle of Falkirk.

14th Century

August 23, 1301 -King Edward I lodged at the Convent of thee Dominicans (the Black Friars) in the High Street, Glasgow.

February 23 1303 -Battle of Roslin in which a Scots army of 8,000, led by Sir Simon Fraser, Sinclair of Rosslyn and the Red Comyn, surprised an English army of 30,000 led by Sir John Seagrave and defeated them.

May 20, 1303 -France and England make peace, releasing forces to attack Scotland.

July 20, 1304 -Stirling Castle, the last of the Scottish castles to be captured by Edward I.

August 3, 1305 -William Wallace betrayed and handed over to the English.

August 23, 1305 -William Wallace executed

February 10, 1306 -Robert the Bruce murdered Red Comyn.

March 27, 1306 -King Robert I ("The Bruce") crowned at Scone.

June 19, 1306 -Army of Robert the Bruce routed at Methven.

August 11, 1306 -Battle of Dalry, Robert I, attacked and defeated John MacDougall of Lorne, kinsman of John Comyn.

May 10, 1307 -Battle of Loudon Hill, near Darvel. King Robert I comprehensively defeated English forces under de Valence.

July 7, 1307 -Death of King Edward I of England.

December 24, 1307 -Battle of Inverurie in which Robert the Bruce defeated the troops of John Comyn. 

August 15, 1308 -Battle of the Pass of Brander in which John MacDougall of Lorne who was supporting King Edward II, was defeated by King Robert I.

March 16, 1309 -King Robert the Bruce convened his first parliament, at St Andrews.

July 16, 1309 -James Stewart, High Steward of Scotland, ddied.

October 29, 1312 -Treaty of Inverness with Norway.

February 7, 1313 -Robert the Bruce captured Dumfries.

May 18, 1313 -Robert the Bruce invades Isle of Man.

June 24, 1314 -Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II at Battle of Bannockburn.

September 12, 1315 -Thomas Dun, a privateer, sailed into Holyhead, captured an English ship and over-ran the island of Anglesay.

March 2, 1316 -King Robert II born in Paisley.

May 2, 1316 -Edward Bruce, brother of King Robert the Bruce, crowned High King of All Ireland.

March 28, 1318 -King Robert the Bruce captured Berwick on Tweed.

October 14, 1318 -Edward Bruce, brother of Robert the Bruce,, killed in a battle near Dundalk, Ireland.

April 6, 1320 - Declaration of Arbroath - The Scottish Declaration of Independence

March 5, 1324 -King David II born.

September 21, 1327 -King Edward II of England died, succeeded by Edward III.

March 17, 1328 -Treaty of Edinburgh between King Robert I and Edward III which recognised Scotland's independence, ending the 30 years of Wars of Independence.

June 7, 1329 -Robert the Bruce died, Cardross Castle.

November 24, 1331 -David II (aged 7) crowned at Scone.

July 20, 1332 -Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray and Regent of Scotland, died at Musselburgh. Donald, Earl of Mar, appointed Regent in his place.

August 12, 1332 -Battle of Dupplin near Perth in which Edwaard Balliol defeated the Regent, Earl of Mar.

September 24, 1332 -Edward Balliol, son of John Balliol, crownned at Scone. He was deposed by supporters of David II in December 1332, restored in 1333, deposed again in 1334, restored in 1335 and finally deposed in 1341.

November 23, 1332 -Edward Balliol formally acknowledged King Edward III of England as his feudal superior.

June 8, 1333 -King Edward III orders the capture of the Isle of Man from the Scots.

July 19, 1333 -Battle of Halidon Hill. Sir Archibald Douglas (guardian of David II) routed by Edward Balliol and Edward III. Scots losses were nearly 600, English losses 14.

August 14, 1337 -King Robert III born at Scone.

June 16, 1338 -Siege of Dunbar Castle by the English was raised.

April 17, 1341 -Edinburgh Castle captured from the English.

October 17, 1346 -Battle of Neville's Cross during which King David II was captured by the English King Edward III.

October 3, 1357 -Treaty of Berwick, freeing David II from imprisonment by the English.

May 31, 1367 -King Robert III married Annabel Drummond.

February 22, 1371 -King David II died at Edinburgh Castle.

March 27, 1371 -King Robert II, nephew of King David II, ccrowned at Scone, aged 55.

October 28, 1371 -Treaty of Vincennes creating a Franco-Scottish alliance.

April 4, 1373 -Parliament held by King Robert II at Sconee, resolved that his son, the Earl of Carrick should succeed his father as King (as Robert III although he was baptised John).

April 4, 1384 -John of Gaunt, son of Edward III attacks Scotland.

August 5, 1388 -James, Earl Douglas, died out of sight of his army, in a bush, at Battle of Otterburn in which Scots defeat Henry Percy, (Hotspur) but with the loss of the Earl of Douglas.

April 19, 1390 -Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce, died at Dundonald Castle and was buried at Scone.

June 17, 1390 -Wolf of Badenoch burns Elgin Cathedral.

August 14, 1390 -King Robert III crowned at the Augustinian abbey of Scone.

September 28, 1396 -"Battle of the Clans" between clans Chattan and Kay on the North Inch, Perth, in front of King Robert III.

June 2, 1398 -Prince Henry St Clair (Sinclair) landed inn Nova Scotia, having sailed from Orkney.

15th Century

September 14, 1402 -Scots led by 4th Earl of Douglas defeated at the Battle of Homildon Hill by English army led by Percy 'Hotspur'.

March 30, 1406 -King James I captured by English near Flammborough Head on his way to France.

April 4, 1406 -King Robert III died and James I ascended the throne (but was not crowned until 1424 as he was a prisoner of the English).

July 24, 1411 -Battle of Harlaw near Inverurie in which Donald, Lord of the Isles fought an indecisive but bloody battle against the Earl of Mar. At the time, both sides thought they had lost, their descendants both thought they had won.

February 24, 1412 -Bishop Henry Wardlaw established St Andrews as a "university" although it was not officially inaugurated until 4 February 1414 when a Bull of Foundation was promulgated by Pope Benedict XIII.

March 22, 1421 -Scottish and French troops under the command of the Earl of Buchan defeated English forces at Baugé in Anjou, France.

December 4, 1423 -Treaty of London, releasing James I from his 18 years captivity in England.

February 2, 1424 -James I married Lady Jane Beaufort, daughtter of the Earl of Somerset, in London.

May 2, 1424 -King James I crowned at Scone

May 26, 1424 -The parliament convened by King James I appproved the arrest of a number of the Scottish nobility - and also banned the playing of football.

October 16, 1430 -King James II born.

February 20, 1437 -King James I murdered in Perth by a group led by Sir Robert Graham.

March 25, 1437 -Coronation of King James II at Kelso Abbey.

November 29, 1440 -6th Earl of Douglas and his brother David murdered at the "Black Dinner" in Edinburgh Castle in front of the 10-year-old King James II.

October 23, 1448 -Battle of Sark in which an invading English force under the Earl of Northumberland was repulsed by the Scots led by Hugh Douglas, Earl of Ormonde, near Gretna.

December 31, 1448 -Franco-Scottish alliance renewed at Tours.

August 27, 1450 -St Salvator's College, St Andrew's Universsity, founded.

January 7, 1451 -Glasgow University founded at the request of James II and Bishop Turnbull.

July 10, 1451 -King James III born at Stirling.

February 22, 1452 -King James II killed William Douglas at Stirling.

March 6, 1457 -King James II decreed in an Act of Parliamment that there should be regular target practice and military parades and that "football and golf be utterly cried down and not used". This was the first time that the games had been mentioned in Scottish documents.

August 3, 1460 -King James II killed by an exploding cannon at the siege of Roxburgh Castle.

August 10, 1460 -King James III crowned at Kelso Abbey.

February 13, 1462 -Treaty of Westminster-Ardtornish between the Lord of the Isles and Edward IV, the King of England.

July 13, 1469 -King James III married Margaret of Denmark.

February 20, 1472 -Orkney and Shetland annexed from Norway.

August 17, 1472 -The see of St Andrews became an archbishopric by a bull of Pope Sixtius IV.

March 17, 1473 -King James IV born.

August 24, 1482 -Berwick on Tweed finally ceded to England (Edward IV) after changing hands 12 times.

June 11, 1488 -Battle of Sauchieburn during which King James III died attempting to subdue a group of rebel barons.

June 26, 1488 -James IV crowned king at the age of 15 at Scone. He reigned until 1513 when he fell with the flower of Scotland's nobility at the Battle of Flodden Field.

January 9, 1492 -The Diocese of Glasgow was elevated to an Archdiocese by Pope Innocent VII.

February 10, 1495 -A bull from Pope Alexander VI confirmed thhe foundation of Aberdeen University.

16th Century

December 17, 1502 -Marriage contract between James IV and Margaret Tudor signed by King James.

May 28, 1503 -Papal Bull signed by Pope Alexander VI connfirming the marriage of King James IV and Margaret Tudor and the "Treaty of Everlasting Peace" between Scotland and England.

August 8, 1503 -King James IV married Margaret Tudor, daugghter of King Henry VII of England. The marriage was known as the Union of the Thistle and the Rose.

July 1, 1505 -Edinburgh Council granted a charter to the "Barber Surgeons" enabling them to practise surgery within the city boundary and creating the basis for the Royal College of Surgeons.

October 9, 1506 -King James IV ratified the Charter incorpoorating the Surgeons and Barbers.

September 14, 1507 -Edinburgh merchants granted exclusive privilege of running a printing press.

October 11, 1511 -Ship "Great Michael" launched for King Jammes IV.

April 10, 1512 -King James V born.

September 9, 1513 -James IV killed in battle at Flodden Field, near Branxton, in the English county of Northumberland.

September 21, 1513 -King James V crowned at Stirling Castle.

May 1, 1522 -England declared war on both Scotland and France.

July 25, 1526 -Battle of Melrose in which Sir Walter Scott of Bucleuch attempted to rescue King James V from the clutches of Douglas, Earl of Angus.

February 29, 1528 -Patrick Hamilton, a Protestant martyr, was burned at the stake in St Andrews.

July 5, 1530 -Border reiver John Armstrong and 50 of his men were hanged for blackmail at Carlanrig by King James V.

May 17, 1532 -King James V established paid judges to sit as the Court of Session, the highest civil court in Scotland.

January 1, 1537 -King James V married Magdalene of France.

February 17, 1540 -King James V passed a law which recognised Scotland's gypsies.

November 24, 1542 -Rout of Solway Moss in which King James V sent a force of 10,000 into England which was defeated by an English force led by Sir Thomas Wharton.

December 8, 1542 -Mary, Queen of Scots born Linlithgow Palace. 

December 14, 1542 -James V died at Falkland Palace.

July 1, 1543 -Treaty of Greenwich, between Henry VIII annd Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland, agreeing betrothal of Mary Queen of Scots (aged 6 months) and Edward Prince of Wales (aged 6 years). The treaty was repudiated by the Scots Parliament.

September 9, 1543 -Mary Queen of Scots crowned at Stirling Castle.

May 7, 1544 -Earl of Hereford invaded Scotland on behalf of Henry VIII in an attempt to force the Scots to agree to the marriage of Mary to Henry's son, Edward. This is known as the "Rough Wooing".

July 3, 1544 -Battle of the Shirts between members of thhe Clan Fraser and Clans Ranald, Cameron and Donald. One of the bloodiest clan battles - only 12 men out of 1,000 combatants are said to have survived.

February 27, 1545 -Battle of Ancrum Moor in which Scottish forces, led by Earl of Douglas, defeated an English army twice their size.

August 1, 1545 -Birth of Andrew Melville, "true father of Presbyterianism in Scotland".

March 1, 1546 -George Wishart, a Protestant martyr, was burned at the stake in St Andrews.

May 30, 1546 -David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews, assassinated.

September 10, 1547 -English defeated Scots at Battle of Pinkiee Cleugh, near Edinburgh. The battle was sparked by English demands that Edward VI of England (aged 10) should marry Mary Queen of Scots (aged 5) - an event known as the "Rough Wooing". It is estimated that 15,000 Scots were killed, 1500 captured and English losses amounted to only 500.

July 7, 1548 -Treaty of Haddington, between France and Scotland, confirming the betrothal of Mary Queen of Scots and Dauphin of France.

October 4, 1552 -Members of the Kerr family from the Scottish Borders and enemies of the neighbouring Scott family, attacked and killed Sir Walter Scott (an ancestor of the writer) in the High Street of Edinburgh.

May 3, 1557 -John Knox began the Reformation in Scotland.

April 24, 1558 -Mary, Queen of Scots, married French Dauphin, Francis Valois (he was aged 14) at Notre Dame in Paris.

April 28, 1558 -Walter Mylne, burned to death in St Andrews, the last pre-Reformation martyr.

July 7, 1559 -John Knox became the first Protestant minister appointed in Edinburgh.

July 10, 1559 -King Henri of France died. Mary Queen of Scots' husband, Francis, becomes King of France.

February 27, 1560 -Second Treaty of Berwick between England and Scotland, providing English assistance to remove French forces of Mary of Guise from Scotland.

June 6, 1560 -Treaty of Edinburgh between France and England, recognising sovereignty of Mary Queen of Scots and her first husband Francis II.

June 11, 1560 -Mary of Lorraine, Queen of King James V and mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, died in Edinburgh Castle.

August 11, 1560 -Latin Mass prohibited in Scotland by Parliament as Protestant faith gained the ascendancy.

December 5, 1560 -King Francis II of France, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, died.

December 20, 1560 -First General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

August 19, 1561 -Mary Queen of Scots lands at Leith on her return from France, after the death of her husband, King Francis II

October 28, 1562 -Battle of Corrichie, Earl of Moray defeated Catholic Gordons of Huntly who were attacking Aberdeen.

February 14, 1565 -Mary Queen of Scots meets Lord Darnley for the first time. They married in July 1565.

March 9, 1566 -David Rizzio murdered by Ruthven in the Palace of Holyrood.

June 19, 1566 -Mary Queen of Scots gives birth to the future King James VI of Scotland and I of England.

February 10, 1567 -Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots, assassinated.

April 24, 1567 -First printed book ever published in Gaelic. It was "Forms of Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Catechism of the Christian Faith," translated from English by Bishop John Carsewell of the Isles.

May 15, 1567 -Mary, Queen of Scots, married Earl of Bothwell.

June 15, 1567 -Mary Queen of Scots' last night in Edinburgh, at the house of Sir Simon Preston, the Lord Provost, on the Royal Mile, prior to her imprisonment at Loch Leven castle two days later.

July 24, 1567 -Mary Queen of Scots abdicated and the young James VI acceded to Scottish throne. The Earl of Mar was appointed regent.

July 29, 1567 -King James VI (aged 13 months) crowned at the Church of the Holy Rude, beside Stirling Castle, following the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots, five days earlier.

August 22, 1567 -James Stewart, Earl of Moray and a half-brother of Mary Queen of Scots, proclaimed Regent of Scotland.

May 2, 1568 -Mary Queen of Scots escaped from Loch Leven castle.

May 13, 1568 -Mary, Queen of Scots, defeated at Battle of Langside.

May 16, 1568 -Mary Queen of Scots sailed from Port Mary across the Solway Firth to exile in England.

October 1, 1568 -The Bannatyne Manuscript, the most extensiive collection of early Scottish poetry in existence, was published by George Bannatyne, an Edinburgh merchant.

January 23, 1570 -James Stewart, the Regent Moray on the abdication of Mary Queen of Scots, murdered in Linlithgow, triggering civil war.

July 12, 1570 -Earl of Lennox appointed Regent of Scotland.

September 3, 1571 -Earl of Lennox, Regent of Scotland, murdered. Earl of Mar appointed Regent but he died in October 1572.

April 1, 1571 -Dumbarton Castle, under siege since Januarry 1570, captured by Captain Thomas Crawford scaling the walls.

November 24, 1572 -John Knox, leading reformer of Church of Scotland, died.

August 3, 1573 -Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange executed, after defending Edinburgh Castle on behalf of Mary Queen of Scots from May 1568 to May 1573.

July 7, 1575 -The skirmish called "The Raid of the Redeswire", took place between Scottish and English borderer.

July 10, 1576 -First Bible (New Testament) printed in Scotland by Bassandyne.

September 14, 1580 -Birth of Robert Gordon of Straloch, Aberdeeen, cartographer.

June 2, 1581 -James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, beheaded in Edinburgh Grassmarket, accused of the murder of Lord Darnley.

September 28, 1581 -George Buchan, humanist, poet, historian and tutor of King James VI, died.

April 14, 1582 -University of Edinburgh founded.

July 3, 1582 -James Crichton of Eliock, the original "Admirable Crichton", died in a brawl in Mantua. Soldier, scholar, poet and athlete, he was a graduate of St Andrews University and a tutor of King James VI.

August 22, 1582 -James VI (aged nearly 8) abducted and takeen to the Castle of Ruthven by the Earls of Mar and Gowrie - the so-called "Ruthven Raid".

June 27, 1583 -James VI escaped from Castle Ruthven.

December 13, 1585 -William Drummond, poet, born.

June 16, 1586 -Mary, Queen of Scots recognised Philip II of Spain as her heir.

February 8, 1587 -Mary Queen of Scots beheaded at Fotheringay Castle.

February 7, 1592 -Earl of Moray murdered at Donibristle.

November 29, 1599 -Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons granted its charter by King James VI.

17th Century

January 1, 1600-First celebration of New Year in Scotland on this date (March 25 till then).

NOvember 19, 1600 -King Charles I born in Dunfermline.

February 7, 1603 -Battle at Glenfruin when the MacGregors slaughtered a number of Colquhouns - the origins of the banning of the MacGregor name.

March 24, 1603 -Union of the Crowns of England and Scotland on the death of Queen Elizabeth I and the succession of King James VI of Scotland.

April 5, 1603 -King James VI leaves Edinburgh to travel to London.

July 25, 1603 -King James VI crowned as King of Great Britain and Ireland at Westminster Abbey, London.

February 6, 1605 -The Trades House of Glasgow was founded too represent the interests of the craftsmen of the city.

November 4, 1605 -Guy Fawkes arrested under the Houses of Parliament with 20 barrels of gunpowder to blow up parliament and the king. Parliament declared 5 November a day of public thanksgiving.

April 12, 1606 -Union flag adopted as the flag of England, Wales and Scotland.

May 22, 1611 -King James VI introduced the title "baroneet" for the first time. This is the lowest hereditary titled order.

March 21, 1613 -Lord Maxwell executed for the murder of thhe head of the Johnstone family (the son of the Johnstone involved in the Battle of Dryfe Sands in December 6, 1593 above).

March 10, 1615 -St John Ogilvie, a Banffshire-born Jesuit priest, was hanged for refusing to renounce the supremacy of the Pope. He was the only Roman Catholic martyr in Scotland and was canonised in 1976.

December 10, 1616 -Ordinance published by the Scottish Privy Council for the establishment of parish schools in Scotland. The same document commended the abolition of Gaelic.

June 17, 1617 -Articles of religion, introducing Anglican principles into Scottish worship, endorsed by Scottish parliament.

September 29, 1621 -Charter granted to Sir William Alexander of Menstrie to colonise the "Baronetcy of Nova Scotia".

February 12, 1624 -George Heriot, goldsmith to King James VI and founder of George Heriot's School, died.

March 27, 1625 -King James VI died at Theobalds Park, Hertfordshire and buried at Westminster Abbey. Succeeded by his son, King Charles I.

February 2, 1626 -Charles I crowned at Westminster Abbey.

May 29, 1630 -King Charles II born at St James' Palace, London.

April 24, 1633 -Warrant issued by the Privy Council to Sir John Hepburn to raise a regiment of 1,200 men to fight in the French service. The corps ultimately became the First Regiment of Foot, The Royal Scots.

June 19, 1633 -Coronation of King Charles I at Holyrood.

July 10, 1633 -Sailing ship "Blessing of Burntisland" carrying gold, jewellery and silver plate belonging to King Charles I, sank in the Firth of Forth.

October 14, 1633 -King James VII born at St James' Palace, London.

July 23, 1637 -A new Scottish Prayer Book creates social unrest and disorder.

February 28, 1638 -Second National Covenant signed in Greyfriars Churchyard.

June 18, 1639 -Pacification of Berwick, Charles I forced to withdraw from Scotland and recognize an independent Scottish Parliament.

August 27, 1640 -Scottish army under Alexander Leslie routeed Royalist forces of Charles I at Newburn Ford.

March 19, 1641 -Foundation stone of Hutchesons' Grammar School laid by Thomas Hutcheson as a residential school for the poor in Glasgow.

March 28, 1642 -The Scots Guards Regiment formed.

August 22, 1642 -King Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham, initiating a Civil War in England between the Royalists (also known as Cavaliers) and Parliament (Roundheads).

January 19, 1644 -A Scottish army under the Earl of Leven crossed the river Tweed into England. It remained in England for three years playing an important part in the Civil War.

July 2, 1644 -Scots forces under David Leslie helped in the victory of the Parliamentary forces over the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor.

September 1, 1644 -Solemn League and Covenant made with the English parliament to assist in the establishment of a Presbyterian church in England.

September 1, 1644 -Battle of Tippermuir, in which Marquis of Montrose defeated Covenanters.

September 13, 1644 -Battle of Aberdeen, in which the Marquis of Montrose captured the city.

October 18, 1644 -Marquis of Montrose overcame a Covenanter force at Fyvie.

February 2, 1645 -Battle of Inverlochy, Marquis of Montrose defeated Covenanters, killing 1,300.

May 4, 1645 -Marquis of Montrose victorious at Battle of Auldearn.

July 2, 1645 -Battle of Alford, Marquis of Montrose defeated Lieutenant-General Baillie; Lord Gordon killed.

August 15, 1645 -Battle of Kilsyth where the Marquis of Montrose was again victorious.

September 13, 1645 -Royalist troops under Marquis of Montrose defeated by Covenanters led by David Leslie at Battle of Philiphaugh.

May 5, 1646 -King Charles I surrenders to Lord Leven and was later passed to the Parliamentary forces.

December 27, 1647 -King Charles I, imprisoned at Carisbrooke Castle, reached an agreement with the Scots who offered military aid in exchange for a promise to establish Presbyterianism in England (but only for three years).

August 17/19, 1648 -Battle of Preston in which Duke of Hamilton at the head of an army of 20,000 crossed into England in support of Charles I. Scots defeated by Cromwell, 2,000 killed, 8,000 captured and Hamilton surrendered on 25 August (and beheaded in March 1649).

January 30, 1649 -King Charles I executed at Whitehall.

February 4, 1649 -Charles II proclaimed king in Edinburgh - but not in England.

April 27, 1650 -Battle of Carbisdale, Montrose's last battle.

May 21, 1650 -James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, executed at Mercat Cross, Edinburgh.

June 23, 1650 -Charles II sailed into the estuary of the river Spey and signed the Covenant before going ashore.

September 3, 1650 -Cromwell defeated Scots at Battle of Dunbar.

November 4, 1650 -Birth of King William III.

December 24, 1650 -Edinburgh castle surrendered to Oliver Cromwell.

January 1, 1651 -Charles II crowned King of Scots at Scone, the last coronation on Scottish soil.

March 31, 1652 -Scottish Regalia (crown, sceptre and sword) saved from invading army of Oliver Cromwell by James Granger, minister at Kinneff, Aberdeenshire, after they had been smuggled from Dunnottar Castle which was under siege.

July 17, 1652 -Great Fire of Glasgow, destroying nearly oone third of the city.

December 16, 1653 -Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

May 4, 1658 -General George Monk proclaimed the Protectorate at Mercat Cross.

January 12, 1659 -A frisky camel caused a sensation in Edinbburgh.

May 29, 1660 -King Charles II returned to England. May 29 is now known as Royal Oak Day.

June 19, 1660 -"Day of Public Thanksgiving" on Restoration of Charles II as king.

January 8, 1661 -The first newspaper in Scotland was publisshed. "Mercurius Caledonius" offered coverage of "the Affairs now in Agitation in Scotland, with a Survey of Foreign Intelligence." It ceased publication on 28 March after only nine issues.

April 23, 1661 -Charles II crowned at Westminster Abbey.

December 18, 1661 -Many Scottish historical records were lostt when the ship Elizabeth of Burntisland sank off the English coast. The records had been taken to London by Oliver Cromwell and were being returned to Edinburgh.

February 6, 1665 -Queen Anne, last of the Stuart monarchs, bborn.

November 28, 1666 -Battle of Rullion Green in Galloway, in which the King's army, led by Sir Thomas Dalzell, defeated the Covenanters.

February 26, 1672 -Philip van der Straten, a Fleming, was granted Scots naturalisation and set up a factory in Kelso, thus starting the Border woolen industry.

November 21, 1673 -King James VII married Mary of Modena.

October 1, 1677 -Battle at Romanno Bridge between two gypsy tribes, Faas and Shaw.

August 6, 1678 -First Glasgow/Edinburgh coach service began from White Horse Inn, Edinburgh.

September 23, 1678 -The Earl of Mar was commissioned to raise a regiment nicknamed "Earl of Mar's Gray Breeks" which later became the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

May 29, 1679 -"Declaration of Rutherglen" in which the Covenanters rode in to Rutherglen to put out the fires celebrating the anniversary of the restoration of King Charles II.

June 1, 1679 -Covenanters defeated John Graham of Claverhouse at Drumclog.

June 22, 1679 -Duke of Monmouth subdued Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge.

November 25, 1681 -General Tam Dalyell raises a regiment to suppress Covenanters which later became the Royal Scots Greys.

November 29, 1681 -Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, granted its charter by King Charles II.

March 1, 1682 -The Advocate's Library (known as the Natioonal Library of Scotland since 1925) opened by its founder, Sir George Mackenzie, the Lord Advocate.

February 6, 1685 -King Charles II, the "merry monarch" died. His last words to his brother James were "Don't let poor Nellie starve" - a reference to his favourite mistress, Nell Gwynne.

April 23, 1685 -James VII crowned at Westminster Abbey.

October 15, 1686 -Birth of poet Allan Ramsay, father of Allan Ramsay the painter.

May 29, 1687 -Order of the Thistle founded by King James VII.

October 19, 1687 -First sedan chairs available for public hire introduced to Edinburgh.

February 17, 1688 -James Renwick, last Covenanter to be executed.

June 10, 1688 -James Francis Stuart born. In honour of thhe "Old Pretender", this is known as "White Rose Day" in Jacobite circles.

November 5, 1688 -William of Orange landed in South-West England.

December 23, 1688 -King James VII deposed and fled, dropping the Great Seal into the river Thames.

January 22, 1689 -William of Orange and Mary become joint sovereigns of the UK.

March 15, 1689 -Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh founded Advocates' Library "equipped with works written by lawyers".

March 18, 1689 -Earl of Leven raises a Border regiment to hold Edinburgh against the Jacobites. It later becomes the King's Own Scottish Borderers.

April 4, 1689 -Scottish Parliament declared that James VIII had forfeited the Scottish throne.

April 19, 1689 -Earl of Angus forms the Cameronians into aa regiment.

July 27, 1689 -Battle of Killiecrankie in which Viscount Dundee (John Graham of Claverhouse) leading a force of Jacobite Highlanders overcame the forces of King William, led by General Hugh Mackay. Viscount Dundee was killed leading the charge.

August 21, 1689 -Battle of Dunkeld when the newly formed Cameronians defended the town against 3,000 Highlanders.

May 1, 1690 -Battle of Cromdale, Jacobites defeated by government troops.

June 7, 1690 -The Scots Parliament ratified the establishment of a Presbyterian religious system, rejecting Episcopacy.

July 12, 1690 -William III defeated James VII in the Battle of the Boyne, Ireland.

February 13, 1692 -Massacre of 38 of the Clan Macdonald by government order at Glencoe.

March 15, 1693 -Hackney cabs (horse-drawn taxis) were authorised for the first time in Glasgow.

June 4, 1694 -The Merchant Maiden Hospital, later known as The Mary Erskine School, was founded by Mary Erskine in the Cowgate, Edinburgh.

June 26, 1695 -Darien Company formed to set up a Scottish colony in Panama.

August 5, 1695 -The Scottish Parliament established a General Post Office.

November 1, 1695 -Bank of Scotland founded by an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

July 12, 1698 -Darien expedition left Leith for Panama.

November 3, 1698 -The Darien Expedition landed at "Caledonia" in Panama.

18th Century

April 11, 1700 -Scottish settlement in Darien, Panama, abandoned.

September 11, 1700 -James Thomson, Scots author of "Rule Britannia", born.

May 8, 1701 -Scottish-born pirate "Captain" William Kidd tried for piracy at London's Old Bailey. He was hanged on 23 May.

September 6, 1701 -Deposed King James VII died at Chateau de Saint Germain-en-Laye, near Paris.

March 8, 1702 -King William III died and Queen Anne acceded to the throne at the age of 37. She was the daughter of King James VII.

April 21, 1703 -Edinburgh Fire Brigade, one of the first in Scotland, formed.

August 5, 1704 -Act of Security passed by the Scottish Parrliament. This allowed Scotland to choose a successor to Queen Anne, other than the one elected by the English Parliament, if Scottish conditions were not met. This precipitated the demands in London for an Act of Union of the two parliaments.

October 3, 1706 -Last Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh before the Union with Westminster.

January 8, 1707 -Earl of Stair, held responsible for the massacre of Glencoe, died.

January 16, 1707 -Treaty of Union of Scottish and Westminster Parliaments ratified.

March 25, 1707 -Last meeting of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh - until 1999.

May 1, 1707 -Act of Union of English and Scottish parliaments proclaimed.

October 23, 1707 -First meeting of the Parliament of Great Britain.

February 1, 1708 -Alexander Selkirk, a sailor from Lower Larrgo, Fife, rescued after four years on the island of Juan Fernandez, 400 miles off the coast of Chile; his story inspired Daniel Defoe to write "Robinson Crusoe".

April 15, 1710 -Physicist William Cullen born.

April 26, 1711 -Philosopher David Hume born.

December 11 1712 -William Cullen, first professor of chemistry at Glasgow University, born.

May 25, 1713 -John Stuart, Earl of Bute, Britain's first Scottish Prime Minister, born.

October 13, 1713 -Birth of Allan Ramsay, painter and son of Allan Ramsay the poet.

August 1, 1714 -Death of Queen Anne; George I, Elector of Hanover becomes king.

September 6, 1715 -The Earl of Mar unfurled the standard of tthe "Old Pretender" at the start of the first Jacobite Uprising.

November 13, 1715 -Battle of Sheriffmuir in which a force of Jacobites led by John, 6th Earl of Mar, fought an inconclusive battle against a Hanoverian force led by John, 2nd Duke of Argyll.

November 15, 1715 -The "Glasgow Courant", the city's first newspaper, appeared for the first time.

December 22, 1715 -James Stuart, the Old Pretender, arrived at Peterhead. He stayed for only a few weeks.

February 4, 1716 -Prince James Francis Stuart, the Old Pretender, left Scotland after a stay of only three weeks, effectively bringing the first Jacobite Uprising to an end.

June 10, 1719 -Battle of Glenshiel, Jacobites with Spanish assistance, and government forces clashed.

September 1, 1719 -Marriage ceremony of Prince James Francis Edward Stewart (the Old Pretender) and Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska. The Polish Princess had been kidnapped on her way to the original wedding, escaped and had married James by proxy earlier in 1719.

December 31, 1720 -Charles Edward Stewart born in Rome.

September 21, 1722 -Minister, historian, playwright and tutor to the Prince of Wales, John Home born. After the first performance of his play "Douglas", people asked "Whaur's yer Wully Shakespeare no?"

February 5, 1723 -John Witherspoon, clergyman, writer, President of Princeton University 1768-94, signatory to American Declaration of Independence 1776, born in Gifford, East Lothian.

June 5, 1723 -Adam Smith, author of "The Wealth of Nations" born Kirkcaldy.

June 20, 1723 -Adam Ferguson, philosopher, historian, "Father of Sociology" born Logierait, Perthshire.

December 24, 1724 -General George Wade was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British army in Scotland after he had reported on the need for military roads in the country.

May 12, 1725 -The Black Watch regiment was commissioned under General Wade to police the Highlands.

June 22, 1725 -Malt Riots, Glasgow - against higher taxes imposed on Scottish malt.

May 25, 1726 -First circulating library opened in Edinburgh.

March 22, 1727 -Neil Gow, first of a famous family of Fiddle players and composers, born Strathearn, Ross & Cromarty.

May 31, 1727 -The Royal Bank of Scotland was formed from a company of debenture holders.

June 10, 1727 -Death of King George I and accession of George II.

April 30, 1728 -Royal Bank invents first overdraft, Wm Hogg overdraws by £1,000 (£66,000 at today's money).

October 27, 1728 -James Cook, circum-navigator of the globe, born to Scottish parents in Yorkshire.

January 8, 1729 -Two women arrested in Edinburgh for wearing men's clothing.

March 20, 1729 -John Law, financier and founder of New Orleans, died aged about 57.

December 28, 1734 -Rob Roy McGregor died.

January 19, 1736 -Birth of James Watt, mathematical instrument maker, developed the steam engine, invented the condensor and copying machine.

April 14, 1736 -"Porteous Riots" in Edinburgh take place after the hanging of a smuggler by the City Guard led by Captain Porteous. The Guard killed several people in the ensuing riot.

September 7, 1736 -A mob broke into the Tolbooth jail and removed Captain Porteous, reprieved for the killing of Edinburgh citizens during a riot on April 14. He was then hanged from a dyer's pole.

November 8, 1736 -First regular public theatre in Scotland opened in Carrubber's Close, Edinburgh.

August 28, 1741 -Earl of Wintoun died, aged 100.

April 28, 1742 -Henry Dundas, powerful politician, known as "Uncrowned King of Scotland, born.

July 23, 1745 -Charles Edward Stuart lands on Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides at the start of the Jacobite Uprising.

August 19, 1745 -Charles Edward Stuart, raises his standard at Glenfinnan, at the start of the '45 uprising.

September 3, 1745 -Prince Charles Edward Stuart proclaimed his father as King James VIII of Scotland at Perth.

September 14, 1745 -Bonnie Prince Charlie, Charles Edward Stuart, occupied Edinburgh.

September 17, 1745 -Prince Charles Edward Stuart took up residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

September 21, 1745 -Charles Edward Stuart victorious at Battle of Prestonpans. The Jacobite army of just over 3,000 under Bonnie Prince Charlie heavily defeated the English Royal forces led by Sir John Cope.

December 6, 1745 -Charles Edward Stewart's entry into Derby..

January 16, 1746 -Retreating Jacobite army defeated Hanoverian forces at Battle of Falkirk.

March 17, 1746 -Lord George Murray and Cluny Macpherson (chief of the clan) fell upon the Campbell militia posts in the Braes of Atholl, at the head of Strathtay, and wiped them out. A brilliant feat of arms, it aroused a blaze of Jacobite optimism.

April 16, 1746 -Charles Edward Stewart defeated at Battle of Culloden.

April 21, 1746 -City of Glasgow held a cake-and-wine banquet to celebrate the defeat of the Jacobites and offer the Duke of Cumberland the freedom of the city.

June 18, 1746 -Flora MacDonald met Prince Charles Edward Stuart and persuaded him to wear women's clothes as part of the escape plan from the Outer Hebrides to Skye.

September 20, 1746 -Prince Charles Edward Stuart escaped capture by sailing to France aborad the French ship "L'Heureux."

April 9, 1747 -Lord Lovat beheaded on Tower Hill for high treason. He was the last person in Britain to be beheaded.

May 20, 1747 -James Lind began a controlled experiment which demonstrated that citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, a disease contracted by sailors on long voyages. The lime juice which eventually became standard issue to British sailors gave rise to the term "limey" as a name for British overseas.

July 6, 1747 -John Paul Jones, hero of the US Navy, born Kirkbean, Dumfries.

August 1, 1747 -Proscription Act introduced, banning tartan and the carrying of weapons.

September 5, 1750 -Poet Robert Fergusson born in Edinburgh.

May 14, 1752 -Colin Campbell of Glenure, known as the "Red Fox", and a notorious presecutor of Jacobites after Culloden, was shot in Appin. Alan Breck (later made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Kidnapped" and "Catriona") was accused (though no evidence was ever put forward) and fled to France. James Stewart (a friend of Red Fox) was arrested and was found guilty, despite a lack evidence, by a jury in Inveraray, presided over by the Duke of Argyll.

September 3, 1752 -With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, September 3 1752 became 14 September. Crowds flocked the streets demanding "Give us back our 11 days."

November 1, 1753 -Tremors from an earthquake in Lisbon are felt in Scotland.

May 14, 1754 -St Andrews Society of Golfers constituted. In 1834 it became the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

August 21, 1754 -Birth of William Murdoch who pioneered the use of coal-gas lighting in 1792 in partnership with James Watt and Mathew Boulton.

March 4, 1756 -Sir Henry Raeburn, reknowned for painting the portraits of many of the citizens of Edinburgh, born.

September 21, 1756 -Road builder John McAdam born in Ayr.

August 9, 1757 -Civil engineer Thomas Telford born. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

May 5, 1758 -James Taylor who developed the steamboat was born.

September 9, 1758 -Birth of painter Alexander Naysmyth in Edinburgh.

January 25, 1759 -Robert Burns born Alloway.

January 1, 1760 -Carron Ironworks near Falkirk begun by Roebuck and Garbett from Birmingham and William Cadell from Cockenzie, East Lothian

July 27, 1760 -The Scottish School of Design was founded in Edinburgh. It later became the Royal Institution and finally the Royal Scottish Academy.

October 26, 1760 -George III crowned, beginning a 60 year reign, one of the longest in British history.

January 31, 1761 -Lachlan MacQuarie, "Father of Australia" born Ulva.

October 1, 1763 -Contract to construct the North Bridge, Edinburgh, signed.

January 1, 1766 -James Stewart the "Old Pretender" died.

April 17, 1766 -James Craig's winning entry for development of Edinburgh New Town was approved.

August 16, 1766 -Birth of Carolina Oliphant (Lady Nairne), poet and author of many Jacobite songs, including "Charlie is my Darling". Her songs are second only in popularity to Burns.

December 29, 1766 -Charles Macintosh, who patented waterproof fabric, born.

June 10, 1768 -Construction of the Forth and Clyde canal started. It was to take 22 years to complete.

December 1, 1768 -The first volume of Encyclopedia Britannica was published in Edinburgh, edited by William Smellie.

March 9, 1770 -Haggis was served on board Captain James Cook's ship "Endeavour", anchored off New Zealand, in celebration of the birthday of a Scottish officer who was on board. (Captain Cook was born in Yorkshire of Scottish parents).

November 14, 1770 -James Bruce discovered the source of the Blue Nile, Lake Tana in north-west Ethiopia.

August 15, 1771 -Novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott born.

September 10, 1771 -Birth of Mungo Park at Foulshiels, near Selkirk. He became an explorer and doctor who charted the course of the River Niger.

June 8, 1772 -Robert Stevenson, engineer, who constructed 18 lighthouses around Scotland, born Glasgow.

September 15, 1773 -The "Hector" leaves Loch Broom, near Ullapool, to sail to Pictou, Nova Scotia, carrying emigrants escaping from the "Clearances".

October 23, 1773 -Birth of Francis Jeffrey, first editor of the "Edinburgh Review".

June 3, 1774 -Poet Robert Tannahill born in Paisley.

October 8, 1774 -Rev Henry Duncan, founder of the first savings bank, born in the Manse at Lochrutton.

October 16, 1774 -Poet Robert Fergusson died.

November 4, 1774 -Poet and song writer Robert Allan was born in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire.

March 9, 1776 -"Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith publisheed

September 23, 1779 -Battle of Flamborough Head in which Scots--born John Paul Jones fought an engagement against the British navy. His ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard sank but he boarded and captured HMS Serapis.

March 20, 1780 -The firm of James Watt and Co was established to manufacture the world's first duplicating machines.

October 4, 1780 -African explorer Alexander Laing, born.

December 18, 1780 -Society of Antiquaries founded.

December 11, 1781 -David Brewster, inventor of the kaleidoscope born.

February 2, 1782 -Birth of James Chalmers in Arbroath - he devised the adhesive postage stamp.

July 1, 1782 -Proscription Act Repealed, thus allowing again the wearing of tartan and the carrying of weapons (banned as a result of the 1745 Uprising in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie).

October 7, 1782 -Birth of Charles McLaren, one of the founders of the "Scotsman" newspaper.

January 1, 1783 -Glasgow Chamber of Commerce incorporated.

January 27, 1783 -Glasgow Herald newspaper first published. It is the longest continuously published daily newspaper in Britain.

March 29, 1783 -The Royal Society of Edinburgh incorporated by charter.

August 27, 1784 -First balloon ascent in Britain by James Tytler, Edinburgh.

October 5, 1785 -Balloon flight by Italian aeronaut Vincenzo Lunardi from Heriot's School, Edinburgh to Ceres in Fife.

November 18, 1785 -Sir David Wilkie who later became a well-known painter of historical and religious works as well as portraits, was born near Pitlessie, Fife.

July 31, 1786 -"Kilmarnock Edition" of the poems of Robert Burns "Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" first published.

March 5, 1787 -Deacon William Brodie executed for theft - on a grand scale.

September 3, 1787 -Glasgow weavers riot after their wages are cut. Bricks were thrown at magistrates and soldiers who then opened fire on the rioters, resulting in six being killed.

December 1, 1787 -First lighthouse in Scotland opened (at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh). It was built by Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson.

January 22, 1788 -Robert Byron (later Lord Byron) born. He moved to Aberdeen at the age of four and attended Aberdeen Grammar School.

January 31, 1788 -Charles Edward Stewart, "Bonnie Prince Charlie" died.

October 14, 1788 -First steamboat tested on Dalswinton Loch by Patrick Miller and William Symington.

June 14, 1789 -Whisky distilled from maize was first produced - by a clergyman, the Rev Elijah Craig. He called the new liquor "bourbon" because he lived in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

October 30, 1789 -Writer Michael Scott who wrote novels for Blackwood's Magazine, was born in Glasgow.

March 5, 1790 -Flora Macdonald, who helped to save Prince Charles Edward Stewart during his flight after the defeat at the Battle of Culloden, died in Kingsburgh, Skye (in the same bed in which Bonnie Prince Charlie had slept during his escape).

July 8, 1790 -Forth and Clyde Canal between the rivers FForth and Clyde, 22 years in the making, completed. At the official opening on 27 July a hogshead of water from the River Forth in the east was transported along the canal and poured into the river Clyde at Bowling.

June 21, 1791 -Robert Napier, regarded as the "father of Clyde shipbuilding" was born.

January 2, 1792 -Thomas Muir, lawyer and political activist, arrested and charged with sedition.

March 3, 1792 -Robert Adam, architect, died.

July 18, 1792 -John Paul Jones, naval hero of the American Revolution, died; he was born in Kircudbrightshire in 1747.

October 20, 1792 -Colin McIver, better known as Colin Campbell, was born in Glasgow. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars, the Opium Wars in China, the Crimean War (winning the Battle of Alma and holding the "thin red line" at Balaclava) and suppressed the Indian Mutiny at Lucknow, rising to be Field Marshall in 1862.

February 10, 1794 -The 4th Duke of Gordon was authorised to raise the Gordon Highlanders.

January 17, 1795 -Duddingston Curling Society became formally organised, one of the earliest in the history of curling - though Kilsyth lays claim to a date of 1716.

December 4, 1795 -Essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle, best known for his "French Revolution" born in Ecclefechan.

January 13, 1796 -John Anderson, founder of "Andersonian Institute" (now Strathclyde University) died.

June 21, 1796 -Scottish explorer Mungo Park reached the source of the river Niger in Africa.

July 21, 1796 -Robert Burns dies in Dumfries.

October 24, 1796 -Artist David Roberts born in Edinburgh.

August 29, 1797 -"Battle of Tranent" in which a demonstration against conscription under the Militia Act was broken up by the Cinque Ports Dragoons and East Lothian Yeomanry with the death of 12 participants.

October 11, 1797 -The British fleet, under the command of Admiral Adam Duncan (born in Forfar in 1731), defeated the Dutch off the village of Camperdown, Holland

January 9, 1799 -Income tax introduced for the first time.

April 15, 1799 -Prof Joseph Black chemist, researcher, teacher, first to identify carbon dioxide, died.

June 25, 1799 -David Douglas, explorer and botanist, born at Scone, Perthshire. In addition to the Douglas Fir, he brought back to Europe lupins, phlox, penstemmon, sunflowers, clarkia, Californian poppy, mimulus, flowering currant and mahonia.

19th Century

May 15, 1800 -King George III escaped two assassination attempts in one day. In Hyde Park, London, a bullet intended for him hit a man standing alongside. Later, at the Drury Lane Theatre, two bullets missed him and hit the wooden panel behind him. His assailant was found to be insane.

October 10, 1802 -Writer and geologist Hugh Miller born on the Black Isle, Cromarty.

October 10, 1802 -The Edinburgh Review first published "to erect a higher standard of merit, and secure a bolder and purer taste in literature, and to apply philosophical principles and the maxims of truth and humanity to politics".

March 17, 1806 -Death of businessman and philanthropist David Dale who established the cotton mills at New Lanark, in partnership with Arkwright, the inventor of the "Spinning Jenny."

January 16, 1809 -General Sir John Moore died at the Battle of Corunna in Spain.

April 20, 1809 -James David Forbes, physicist who devised first form of seismograph, born.

December 29, 1809 -William Ewart Gladstone, UK Prime Minister on four occasions, born 1809

March 25, 1810  -The Commercial Bank of Scotland was founded in Edinburgh by John Pitcairn, Lord Cockburn and others.

May 10, 1810  -Rev Henry Duncan opened the world's first savings bank in Ruthwell, near Dumfries.

January 9, 1811 -The first women's golf tournament took place in scotland at Musselburgh.

June 7, 1811 -Sir James Young Simpson, pioneer of anaesthetics and chloroform, born.

March 19, 1813 -David Livingstone, missionary and explorer, born Blantyre.

September 30, 1813 -Birth in Orkney of John Rae, explorer and surveyor of Canada's northern coastline.

March 20, 1814 -Birth of Dr John Goodsir in Anstruther, Fife, who showed in 1842 that bacteria was the cause of disease and that it could be eliminated with selective poisons - 18 years before Louis Pasteur, who is usually credited with the discovery.

July 7, 1814 -First publication of Walter Scott's Waverley Novels

January 11, 1815 -John A MacDonald, first Prime Minister of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, born at 20 Brunswick Street in Glasgow.

June 18, 1815 -Ensign Ewart captured the French Ensign at the Battle of Waterloo.

July 1, 1815 -Union Bank of Scotland opened.

January 25, 1817 -First edition of the Edinburgh-based "Scotsman" newspaper, published by its founders, Charles MacLaren, William Ritchie and John MacDiarmid.

February 4, 1818 -Honours of Scotland put on display in Edinburgh Castle after being rediscovered by Sir Walter Scott.

September 18, 1818 -Theatre Royal, Glasgow, became the first theatre in Britain to be lit by gas.

May 24, 1819 -The future Queen Victoria was born.

June 13, 1819 -The Strathnaver Clearances began on the Sutherland estates - families were given 30 minutes to remove their belongings before their cottages were set on fire.

August 25, 1819 -James Watt, developer of steam power, died.

August 25, 1819 -Birth in Glasgow of Alan Pinkerton, founder of the Chicago-based detective agency which bears his name.

March 11, 1820 -Death of Sir Alexander Mackenzie (of Dunkeld), explorer of North America and in 1793 became the first white person north of Mexico to reach the Pacific by crossing overland.

August 6, 1820 -Donald Alexander Smith - later Lord Strathcona - born in Forres. A pioneer of the Hudson Bay Company in the North-West, he later championed the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway across Canada and drove the last spike at Craigelachie, British Columbia.

July 8, 1822 -Henry Raeburn, portrait painter, died.

August 17 1822 -Visit of George IV to Edinburgh began, orchestrated by Sir Walter Scott.

October 30, 1822 -Caledonian Canal opened.

June 17, 1823 -Charles Macintosh patented the waterproof cloth he was using to make raincoats.

June 23, 1823 -George and Robert Stephenson open their locomotive foundry in Newcastle upon Tyne.

July 1, 1824 -Lachlan Macquarrie, "Father of Australia" died in London.

November 15, 1824 -Edinburgh's Great Fire began - and lasted until 17th November. It destroyed the High Street, Parliament Square and the Tron Kirk.

December 10, 1824 -Novelist and poet George MacDonald, born.

April 19, 1825 -Robert Byron (later Lord Byron) died at Missolinghi, Greece.

April 24, 1825 -Novelist R M Ballantyne, who wrote 90 books, the best known of which was "The Coral Island," was born in Edinburgh.

August 27, 1825 -African explorer William Blake born.

December 8, 1826 -John Brown, Queen Victoria's Highland Servant born at Crathie.

January 28, 1829 -William Burke, murderer and body snatcher of "Burke and Hare" fame, executed.

April 5, 1830 -Birth at Lesmahagow of composer Alexander Muir, creator of "Maple Leaf Forever".

June 26, 1830 -King George IV died, aged 67 (and William IV ascended the throne). George IV is reckoned to be Britain's fattest king. His favourite breakfast was two roast pigeons, three beefsteaks, a bottle of white wine, a glass of champagne, two of port and one brandy.

June 13, 1831 -Birth of James Clerk Maxwell, first Professor of Experimental Physics at Cambridge University, he created electromagnetic theory of light.

September 27, 1831 -Scotland's first passenger railway opened (between Glasgow and Garnkirk).

December 23, 1831 -Major outbreak of cholera in Scotland.

July 16, 1832 -31 Shetland boats (known as "sixerns") sank in a storm with the loss of 105 crewmen. The event is still recalled as "The Bad Day".

September 21, 1832 -Novelist (notably "Ivanhoe" and "Talisman"") and poet Sir Walter Scott died aged 61.

July 13, 1834 -Botanist and explorer David Douglas died iin Hawaii.

September 2, 1834 -Death of engineer, road, bridge and canal builder Thomas Telford.

October 9, 1834 -First shipment of tea direct from India arrived at the Broomielaw Docks in Glasgow.

November 21, 1835 -Poet James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, died in Ettrick.

November 25, 1835 -Steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie born in Dunfermline.

July 1, 1836 -North of Scotland Bank founded in Aberdeen. It is now part of the Clydesdale Bank.

March 2, 1838 -Clydesdale Bank founded in Glasgow.

April 21, 1838 -John Muir, pioneering conservationist and founder of Yosemite National Park, born in Dunbar.

April 22, 1838 -The 703-ton Sirius, built in Leith and carrying 90 passengers, reached New York, the first ship to cross the Atlantic entirely under steam. Shortage of fuel resulted in spars and furniture being burned towards the end of the 18-day voyage. Brunel's steamship, Great western, arrived a day later.

June 28, 1838 -Queen Victoria crowned at Westminster Abeey.

December 16, 1838 -Thomas Blake Glover, founding father of Japan's industrialisation (including Mitsubishi) and Japanese Navy, born Fraserburgh.

April 11, 1839 -John Galt, author, traveler, founder of Guelph, Ontario, died.

August 15, 1840 -Foundation stone for the Monument to Sir Walter Scott laid in Princes Street Gardens.

May 28, 1841 -Seven church ministers of the Presbytery of Strathbogie were removed from their posts by the General assembly of the Church of Scotland for obeying civil rather than ecclesiastical law.

June 1, 1841 -Poet and songwriter Robert Allan (born in Kilbarchan in 1774) died in New York, six days after sailing there from Scotland to join his son. He had believed that his poetry would be better appreciated in North America.

November 9, 1841 -Edward VII, eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert was born.

February 21, 1842 -Intercity railway between Glasgow and Edinburgh opened by Queen Victoria.

September 7, 1842 -Queen Victoria's first visit to Edinburgh.

September 20, 1842 -Sir James Dewar, inventor of the vacuum flask, born in Kincardine-on-Forth.

May 18, 1843 -Break up of Church of Scotland and formation of Free Church of Scotland.

June 1, 1843 -Dr Henry Faulds, who established the uniqueness of fingerprints, born in Beith, Ayrshire.

October 26, 1845 -Lady Caroline Nairne, songwriter and poet, died at Gask.

February 5 1846 -John Boyd Dunlop, who patented the first practical pneumatic tyre, born Ayrshire.

December 21, 1846 -Robert Liston, who was born in Linlithgow in 1794, performed the first operation in a British hospital using anaesthetic (ether).

March 3, 1847 -Alexander Graham Bell born Edinburgh.

April 17, 1847 -The Educational Institute of Scotland was founded "to promote sound learning and advance the interests of education in Scotland".

May 30, 1847 -Death of Thomas Chalmers, first Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland.

July 5, 1847 -Final run of the Edinburgh to London mail coach (trains had taken over).

August 22, 1847 -Birth of Sir Alexander Campbell MacKenzie, musician and composer.

November 9, 1847 -In Edinburgh, Dr James Young Simpson delivered Wilhelmina Carstairs while chloroform was administered to the mother, the first child to be born with the aid of anaesthesia.

November 12, 1847 -Sir James Young Simpson first used chloroform as an anaesthetic.

November 23, 1847 -Historian Walter Biggar Blaikie born.

January 1, 1848 -Riots by Irish navvies in Stonehaven.

January 29, 1848 -Greenwich Mean Time adopted by Scotland.

February 15, 1848 -The Caledonian Railway company opened.

March 23, 1848 -First Scottish settlers arrive Dunedin, New Zealand.

December 2, 1848 -Mary Slessor, missionary, born.

September 12, 1848 -Death of William McNab, curator of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He was responsible for "greening" Scotland in the 19th century. He moved 4,000 plant species, including trees from a site on Leith Walk, to the present garden at Inverleith.

August 13, 1849 -Queen Victoria visited Glasgow, the first monarch to visit the city since James VI in the 16th century. Having visited the "second city of the Empire" she is reputed to have said that she did not wish to repeat the experience...

May 10, 1850 -Sir Thomas Lipton, founder of the Lipton's grocery chain who was a millionaire by the age of 30, was born in Glasgow.

October 17, 1850 -James "Paraffin" Young obtained a patent for the extraction of parafin from shale, starting the chemical industry in West Lothian.

November 13, 1850 -Novelist and poet Robert Louis Stevenson born Edinburgh.

May 24, 1852 -Robert Cunningham Graham born. Son of a Scottish laird, he organised the Scottish Labour Party with Kier Hardie, wrote over 30 travel books and was elected first president of the Scottish National Party.

October 2, 1852 -Birth of Sir William Ramsay, Scottish chemmist who discovered helium, xenon, neon, argon, radon and krypton.

November 25, 1853 -John Gibson Lockhart, biographer and critic, editor Blackwood's magazine, died. He married Sir Walter Scott's daughter and wrote a 7 volume biography of Scott. Buried Dryburgh Abbey, at the feet of Sir Walter Scott.

September 17, 1854 -David Dunbar Buick was born at 26 Green Sttreet, Arbroath. He emigrated to the USA with his parents at the age of two. Although he founded the Buick Manufacturing Company which later became General Motors, it was William C. Durant who grew the company.

September 19, 1854 -The Great North of Scotland Railway opened, running from Aberdeen to Huntly.

October 2, 1854 -Patrick Geddes, "father of town planning" born in Ballater.

October 27, 1854 -William Smith, founder of the Boys' Brigade, born.

November 25, 1854 -Death of John Gibson Lockhart, Sir Walter Scott's biographer. Lockhart is buried at the foot of Sir Walter's grave in Dryburgh Abbey.

November 17, 1855 -David Livingstone reached Victoria Falls in Africa.

August 15 1856 -Birth at Holytown of John Keir Hardie, coal miner and founder of the Labour Party.

June 30, 1857 -Start of trial for murder of Madeleine Smith who was eventually found "Not Proven"

July 9, 1857 -Madeleine Smith acquitted of murder and "not proven" on another charge of attempted poisoning after a notorious trial.

November 17, 1858 -Robert Owen, Welsh-Scottish industrialist and social reformer, founder of New Lanark community, died.

March 8, 1859 -Kenneth Grahame, author of "The Wind in thhe Willows" born in Edinburgh.

March 21, 1859 -National Gallery of Scotland opened in Edinburgh.

May 22, 1859 -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes, born of Irish parents in Edinburgh.

September 16, 1859 -David Livingstone discovered Lake Nyasa.

October 14, 1859 -Queen Victoria opened the water supply from Loch Katrine allowing it to flow 17 miles to Milngavie reservoir and then to Glasgow.

May 9, 1860 -J M Barrie, author of "Peter Pan" born

September 26, 1860 -First Open Golf Championship held at Prestwick. There were eight entrants and the championship was won by Willie Park of Musselburgh.

January 26, 1861 -"One o'clock gun" fired for the first time from Edinburgh Castle.

June 19, 1861 -Earl Haig, Commander in Chief of British forces 1915-18, founder of British Legion, born.

October 22, 1861 -Foundation stones of main Post Office and National Museum of Scotland laid by Prince Albert in his last public engagement before his death.

June 3, 1863 -Writer Neil Munro born Inveraray.

February 1, 1865 -Highland Railway formed from the amalgamation of Inverness and Perth Junction and the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railways.

October 12, 1866 -Ramsay MacDonald, first Labour Prime Minister of UK, born.

October 25, 1866 -Revised Glasgow coat of arms approved by the Lord Lyon - "Let Glasgow Flourish".

May 23, 1867 -Archibald Alison, historian, died.

July 9, 1867 -Queen's Park Football Club, first senior football (soccer) club in Scotland formed.

February 10, 1868 -David Brewster, scientist, inventor (including the kaleidoscope) died.

March 22, 1868 -Last fully public hanging in Scotland - that of Joseph Bell at Perth.

December 10, 1868 -Artist, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh born.

June 5, 1868 -James Connolly, Irish revolutionary, born in Edinburgh.

July 13, 1868 -Scottish Reform Act passed giving the vote to all male householders.

April 22, 1869 -Rev Patrick Bell , inventor of mechanical reaper, died.

November 12, 1869 -Edinburgh University became the first in Britain to allow women to study medicine (though not graduate). But a woman, masquerading as Dr. James Barry, actually took a medical degree at Edinburgh University in 1812 and became an army surgeon.

November 22, 1869 -Cutty Sark launched at Dumbarton on the Cllyde to be the fastest ship in the race to bring home the first of the new season's tea from China. She later brought back wool from Australia.

May 6, 1870 -Sir James Young Simpson advocate of chloroform, died.

May 17, 1870 -David Octavius Hill, painter and pioneer photographer, died.

August 4, 1870 -Birth of the entertainer Sir Harry Lauder.

August 30, 1870 -Birth of golf course designer Dr Alister Mackenzie; he was responsible for Augusta National and Cypress Point, among others.

March 27, 1871 -First Scotland/England rugby international, 20 a side, played at Raeburn Place. (Scotland won).

November 10, 1871 -Journalist Henry M Stanley found the missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone with the classic "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

January 14, 1872 -Greyfriars Bobby died after staying by his master's grave for 14 years.

July 18, 1872 -Voting by secret ballot was introduced for the first time.

August 10, 1872 -Education (Scotland) Act passed, providing elementary education for all children.

August 20, 1872 -Death of the poet William Miller whose collection of nursery songs included "Wee Willie Winkie".

November 30, 1872 -World's first international football (socccer) match, Scotland V England at West of Scotland Cricket Ground. Result was 0-0.

March 3, 1873 -"Scottish Football Union" formed - the precursor of the Scottish Rugby Union.

March 13, 1873 -Scottish Football Association founded. The initial clubs were Queen's Park, Clydesdale, Vale of Leven, Dumbreck, Third Lanark, Eastern, Granville and Kilmarnock.

May 1, 1873 -Missionary and explorer David Livingstone died.

November 15, 1873 -Statue to Greyfriar's Bobby, who stayed by his master's grave for 14 years was unveiled.

April 18, 1874 -Remains of David Livingstone interred in Westminster Abbey.

July 6, 1875 -Institute of Bankers in Scotland formed, the first professional association of bankers in the world.

August 26, 1875 -Novelist and statesman John Buchan born in Perth.

September 25, 1875 -John Hughes Bennett, pioneer microscopist, died.

February 14, 1876 -Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone (Patent 174461). Two hours after it was lodged, his rival, Elisha Gray, applied for a similar patent. Bell's was granted.

March 25, 1876 -First Scotland v Wales football international. Scotland won 4-0.

June 23, 1876 -Robert Napier, regarded as the "father of Clyde shipbuilding" died.

June 25, 1876 -Seven Scots, including John Stuart Forbes, were in the US 7th Cavalry with General Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

October 22, 1877 -A firedamp explosion at Blantyre Colliery killed 207 miners.

November 5, 1877 -Opening of the original Mitchell Library, Glasgow, now the largest public reference library in Europe.

January 26, 1878 -Kirkpatrick McMillan, inventor of the bicycle, died.

June 1, 1878 -First Tay rail bridge opens. It was to collapse 18 months later in the Tay Bridge Disaster.

October 15, 1880 -Dr Marie Stopes, founder of first modern birth control clinic, born Edinburgh.

October 28, 1880 -Dr Henry Faulds, a Scots medical missionary working in Japan, published a letter in "Nature" which gave the first evidence that fingerprints could be used as proof of guilt or innocence in legal cases.

August 6, 1881 -Birth of Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin.

October 14, 1881 -Eyemouth Fishing Disaster, nearly 20 boats and 129 men (1 in 3 of the town's male population) lost their lives in a storm.

November 2, 1881 -Tom Johnston, one of Scotland's best know Secretaries of State, born.

April 11, 1882 -Battle of the Braes in which crofters in Skye fought 50 policemen during a dispute over land rights.

July 3, 1883 -124 people drowned when Steamer "Daphne" sank during its launch on river Clyde.

March 15, 1886 -Low-level platforms at Glasgow's Queen Street Station opened.

June 24, 1886 -Crofters' Holding Act passed providing limited security of tenure.

May 15, 1887 -Poet and critic Edwin Muir born.

June 20, 1887 -New Tay rail bridge opened.

June 25, 1887 -Wallace statue unveiled at the Wallace National Monument, Stirling.

November 6, 1887 -Celtic Football Club formally constituted in Calton, Glasgow, to alleviate poverty in Glasgow's East End parishes.

January 3, 1888 -O H Mavor (James Bridie) physician and prolific playwright, born in Glasgow.

August 13, 1888 -Birth of John Logie Baird , developer of television.

August 22, 1888 -Queen Victoria opened the Glasgow City Chambers.

October 31, 1888 -Pneumatic bicycle tyres were patented by inventor John Boyd Dunlop from Ayrshire.

July 15, 1889 -National Portrait Gallery for Scotland opened in Edinburgh.

July 20, 1889 -Lord Reith, governor of BBC, born in Stonehaven.

January 24, 1890 -First train over Forth Bridge.

March 4, 1890 -Forth Rail Bridge officially opened by Prince of Wales.

May 7, 1890 -James Naysmith, engineer and inventor of steam hammer, died

April 30, 1891 -An Comunn Gaidhealach was formally instituted as a vehicle for the preservation and development of the Gaelic language.

June 25, 1891 -The first Sherlock Holmes story by Edinburgh-born author Arthur Conan Doyle was published in the "Strand" magazine, triggering the success of the stories - earlier publication of "A Study in Scarlet" in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887 had attracted little public interest.

November 8, 1891 -Author Neil M Gunn born in Caithness. Best known for "Highland River" (1937) and "Silver Darlings" (1951).

November 16, 1891 -Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show opened in the East End Exhibition Buildings, Duke Street, Glasgow.

August 11, 1892 -Author and poet C M Grieve (Hugh MacDiarmid) born at Langholm, Dumfriesshire.

January 13, 1893 -Keir Hardie of Legbrannock, Lanarkshire, founded Independent Labour Party.

August 2, 1894 -Death duties introduced for the first time in Britain.

December 3, 1894 -Robert Louis Stevenson died in Samoa.

February 11, 1895 -Coldest temperature ever recorded in Scotland, -27.2C at Braemar.

March 9, 1895 -Soprano Dame Isabella Baillie, opera star, born in Hawick.

July 17, 1895 -The east coast express train from London to Aberdeen set a record time of 10 hours and 21 minutes for the 540 miles.

November 14, 1896 -Speed limit for horseless carriages was raised from 4mph (2mph in towns) to 14mph.

December 14, 1896 -Glasgow District Underground opened, powered by electricity.

March 25, 1897 -Formation of the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

August 20, 1897 -Ronald Ross, the first Scot to win a Nobel prize (in 1902) dissected a mosquito and established the link with malaria.

September 10, 1897 -HRH Duke of York opened the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

November 1, 1897 -Novelist and politician Naomi Mitchison born in Edinburgh. Her best known novels are "The Conquered" (1923), "When the Bough Breaks" (1924) and "Cloud Cuckoo Land".

January 22, 1898 -People's Palace on Glasgow Green opens.

April 28, 1898 -Poet William Soutar born in Perth.

January 5, 1899 -An experiment using electricity to drive Glasgow's tram cars was successful, sounding the end for the 3,000 horses used by the city on its 150 miles of track.

October 31, 1899 -Steam Ship Sir Walter Scott launched by William Denny at Dumbarton. The ship is still sailing on Loch Katrine in Perthshire, 100 years later.

December 30, 1899 -Albion Motor Company established to build lorries.

20th Century

August 4, 1900 -Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the future Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, born.

April 5, 1902 -Disaster at English/Scottish football matcch at Ibrox Stadium when part of the flooring collapsed, killing 20, injuring 200.

October 15, 1902 -Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel opened its doors for the first time.

December 19, 1904 -The "Scotsman" newspaper moves to new offices at North Bridge in Edinburgh, remaining there until 1999.

December 27, 1904 -Premiere of J M Barrie's play "Peter Pan" at the Duke of York Theatre, London. Barrie was born in Kirriemuir in 1860.

July 22, 1913 -Edinburgh Zoo opened for the first time.