From the earliest times to devolution, Brexit and beyond, this edition of Scotland History of a Nation has a new introduction that connects the past with more contemporary events. As a nation, Scotland has always been under test, and over four thousand years ago, its Stone Age inhabitants were among the most advanced builders in Europe. About two thousand years ago, the Romans decided it was wiser to build a wall than attempt conquest. A thousand years ago, Scotland was one of the first medieval European kingdoms to emerge as a political unity from the Dark Ages. This original and immensely readable history charts the long, painful and sometimes tragic but often inspiring process that has formed the Scottish people of today.

2022 was an extraordinary year in Britain. It was a year of four chancellors, three prime ministers and two monarchs. Financial instability and political uncertainty were the characteristics of the UK as the Union was and continues to be tested. The new introduction is a fast round up of the past 25 years with reference to The Scotland Act, the rise of the SNP, Brexit, the Pandemic, indyref and the Gender Reform Bill, and the recent surprise resignation by Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister and leader of the Scotish National Party (SNP), followed by the election of Humza Yousaf. Where next for Scotland, and the UK?