Scottish Empress

From Caesar's invasion of Britain to the end of the 14th century.

These essays trace the changing relationship between Scotland and England following the unifying reign of Queen Victoria, through the debates over devolution, and into a future where the Union will be under continuing pressure to evolve. Historians, social scientists and lawyers investigate the personal, social, financial and constitutional tensions between the Scots and the English, both before and after devolution, and ask if Scots and English have been driven apart, or brought more closely together by this reconstruction of the Union. Building on its companion ­Anglo-Scottish Relations, from 1603 to 1900 (0-19-726330-5), this volume provides wideranging insights into what some may regard as 'unfinished business'.

ScotlandÕs maritime heritage is a highly significant one, embracing as it does a quite outstanding contribution to BritainÕs development both as an empire and as the worldÕs leading maritime power in the nineteenth century. Scottish engineering, ship owning and operating, as well as business and entrepreneurial skills, played a major part in the success of the Merchant Navy, while Scottish emigrants took skills to every corner of the world, creating trade and wealth both abroad and at home. In terms of engineering, ÔClyde-builtÕ was the Kite Mark for the shipbuilding industry the world over. Scottish shipowners included household names such as Allan, Anchor, Donaldson and Henderson, while Scotsmen were instrumental in founding and, for much of the time, managing Cunard, British India, P & O, Orient, Glen and many other ÔEnglishÕ companies. The author tells an exhilarating story of energy and inventiveness, describing the remarkable navigational skills of the highlanders and the technological and business skills of the lowlanders, and relates the early development of the steamship, the impact of emigration, the involvement with exploration and the development of trade routes, and the final flowering of the worldÕs last great iron sailing ships.