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The Shortest History of Scotland: A Q & A with Murray Pittock

‘We need to be better aware of that to understand the challenges and achievements of the past, and to use them to assess the present and be confident in addressing it.’

Historian Murray Pittock brings us Scotland’s past in a concise but brilliant way in his latest book, The Shortest History of Scotland. We asked him how history keeps him inspired.

 

The Shortest History of Scotland
By Murray Pittock
Published by Old Street Publishing

 

Scotland has a long and complex national history. How did you approach shaping such a vast subject into this short format, and what were the most difficult choices about what to include, exclude, or treat only briefly? 

There were three important considerations I kept in mind: to offer coverage of the lived life and environment of people (rather than just dwell on kings/queens and battles); to offer enough coverage in depth on at least one or two issues to raise people’s curiosity for wider reading; and to relate Scotland historically to the choices it faces today.

 

Do you have a favourite moment or period in Scottish history? 

The Jacobite era (1688-1760) and its effect on global politics and international conflict.

 

If you had to identify one or two moments that most profoundly shaped modern Scotland, which would they be and why? 

Two moments comes to mind. Firstly, the Reformation. I say this because it broke the link between the Crown and the Church and between Scotland and France and thus rendered the country more vulnerable. Another moment of great importance would be the Romantic era, 1760-1830: which gave Scotland the global brand (including tartan) it enjoys today.

 

What books have shaped your understanding of Scottish history? 

I have read and admired so many over the years, including:

Geoffrey Barrow, Robert Bruce.

T.M. Devine, The Clearances.

Christopher Harvie, No Gods and Precious Few Heroes.

Frank McLynn, France and the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

 

What are your thoughts on the future of studying Scottish history? 

I would like to see more teaching of it at an earlier stage. Scotland has a global history: in terms of reach, brand and innovation it is a global actor. We need to be better aware of that to understand the challenges and achievements of the past, and to use them to assess the present and be confident in addressing it.

 

The Shortest History of Scotland is published by Old Street Press is available now, priced £14.99.

 

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