With more than 900 entries in alphabetical order, The Historical Handbook To Scotland provides a factual overview of the country's historical landscape from the Roman occupation to the present day. Integrated among its largest cities and smallest villages, that number more than 260 locations, are some 500 historical buildings. These range from the most strategically defended castles to the more venerable ruined abbeys that stand as testaments to the struggles and strife of the nation, during which many of the structures were designed and doctrines upheld. Between these are the 90 battles and periods of conflict. The comparatively modern history of more than 100 distilleries and golf clubs serves to reflect the industrialisation and urbanisation of 19th and 20th century Scotland, and like most of the other entries, start with the subject name, region, location and earliest history, eventually ending with a modern day summary that the reader can experience first-hand.