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CASTLES
TOWNS
ABBEYS
VILLAGES
INVASIONS
CATHEDRALS
PALACES
BATTLES
WHISKY
CITIES
CHURCHES
REBELLIONS
GOLF
CLUBS
STATELY HOMES |
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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. |
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the battle of Prestonpans,
1745, a visit to its coast by the American pirate John Paul Jones,
1779, and its status as a garrison town during the Napoleonic Wars,
Dunbar's history is concerned with trade. As headquarters of the
Fall family, Scotland's premier merchants, it became an important
market for wheat, timber and fat stock, with trade links to Baltic
Ports. A Sub Port of Leith by 1842, the construction of its harbour
in 1844, covering 5 acres, aided its flourishing fishing industry
and a prolific trade in potatoes with London from 1850. But after
the contraction of both by 1914, Dunbar's pre-eminence was as a
district centre and sea-side resort on the east coast route from
Edinburgh to London. Although the site of a Collegiate Church in
1342, the present Gothic church by Gillespie Graham with its large
tower, often served as a landmark to mariners. At the north of the
High Street stands the 17th century town house and former Tolbooth
of 1620, near Robert Adam's Lauderdale House. Dunbar was also the
birthplace of John Muir (1839-1914) who helped develop the American
National Parks; an example of his work is located nearby. See
Battles |
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FIFE
Town situated 5 miles NW of Inverkeithing. Its name is probably
a Gaelic expression for 'fort on the hillock' or 'the castle by
the winding stream'. Secured a prominent place in history due to
its proximity to St Andrews, from a fort to a church which had been
augmented by 1072, Dunfermline continued to grow and by the early
12th century was a Royal Burgh. Apart from its Royal Palace built
after 1304 and its occupation by Richard II in 1385, much of its
history up until the Reformation is concerned with its Abbey, which
gave the town royal connections for over four hundred years. Created
an Earldom for the Seton family in 1605, it was burnt in 1624 and
later became a centre for weaving while trading in coal and linen.
Encouraged by the French Revolutions of 1789 and 1830, amongst its
weavers who sought political reforms were the Carnegie family, whose
son Andrew Carnegie (1835-1910) went on to amass a large fortune
in the U.S. steel industry after immigrating in 1848 to America.
There he furthered his ethical blend of hard work, a sense of humanity
and civic pride before he endowed many towns and cities around the
world with educational institutions. The town benefited from the
Improvement Scheme of 1875 and by 1880 was the centre for table
linen and had up to 20 collieries in the area while its peripheral
industries included rope tan, dye and soap works along with its
bleachfields, iron foundries and flour mills. After 1900 the benefits
received from its native son included a library, swimming baths,
a public park (Pittencrieff) and numerous public and social institutes.
The completion of Rosyth Naval
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Dockyard by 1915 provided
employment for many of its townsfolk and latterly the decline
of its traditional industries was tempered by the through trade
from the new Forth Road Bridge in 1964 which has helped it maintain
its position as one of Fife's principal burghs. See Abbey &
Golf Club
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FIFE
Situated in the town. The Abbey
developed from the Church of the Holy Trinity founded by Queen
Margaret (1069) who is buried here along with her husband Malcolm
III. At one time one of the richest and largest abbeys in Scotland,
the ruins of today's Norman Gothic structure were founded by David I
in 1128 for Benedictine monks from Canterbury and quickly became a
favoured resting place for royalty en route north. From this period
the nave is all that remains. Following its burning and occupation
by Edward I (1303-4) restoration work was ordered by Bruce and a
palace was built that was to be strongly linked to the Stewart line
when it became the birthplace of David II, James I and Charles I,
and the frequent residence of James IV and Queen Mary, followed by
her son James VI. Consequently it became a prize of war which was
burnt by Richard II in 1385 but it was restored and enlarged in
1540. It followed the usual course of decline in the 16th century
when it was damaged by the Reformers, resulting in its church being
used by the local parishioners who still use it today. The Abbey's
extensive property was held by Commendators until 1589 when it
became the property of Ann of Denmark, Queen consort, and its other
lands were eventually granted to court favourites. Owing to its
eclipse of Iona as the site of the Royal Sepulture between 1093 and
1401, up to fifteen monarchs were interred here. Its cruciform
church with its mainly 12th century nave includes additional side
aisles, transepts, choir with Lady Chapel, two western towers and a
great central tower, most of which were added between the 14th and
17th centuries. Its conventional buildings were built on two levels
and now comprise 13th century dormitories to the east, with 14th
century dining hall in the adjacent range and parts of the refectory
pend and guest house extending to the south west.
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