A wide-ranging popular history of a small nation that has had a disproportionate influence on culture, trade and industry throughout the world. Murray Pittock presents a full narrative history, starting with Scotland before the Scots and taking in Wallace, the wars of independence, the reformation, the incorporation of Scotland into the United Kingdom and the transformation of Scotland into a modern society. In doing so he brings into play issues of geography, language, identity, religion, politics, science and ideas to create a chronicle of a nation which is looking forward to playing an increasingly important independent role.