How We Got Here: An Overview of Scottish History

Union of the Crowns. Scotland didn't join England, we gave them our King. James VI becomes James I. Two countries, one King, two parliaments.

1698 - The Darien Disaster. Scotland tries to build its own colony in Panama. Five ships sail from Leith. It fails. We lose a quarter of our national wealth. England blocks us from trading.

1707 - Union of the Parliaments. Broke after Darien, we're told union is the only way to survive. Our parliament votes itself out of existence on 1st May 1707. No vote for the people - 79 petitions against, riots in Edinburgh, Treaty burned in Dumfries.

The Acts of Union 1706 and 1707 created the Parliament of Great Britain. Under the current constitutional settlement, Section 37 of the Scotland Act 1998 provides that the 1706 and 1707 Acts have effect subject to this Act. The 1998 Act followed the 1997 devolution referendum and the claim of right.

1998- Devolution. After 292 years, we get a parliament back - but Westminster keeps the keys. We can run health and education, but not our economy, energy, or constitution.


2014 - We ask to leave. 45% Yes, 55% No. We're told we're "Better Together" and Devo Max is just around the corner. It never comes.


2022 - We ask to vote again. Supreme Court says Scotland can't hold its own referendum. Even on Devo Max.


So here we are in 2026. We run almost everything day-to-day, but we can't decide our own future.