A History Of Scotland

by Neil Oliver

Scotland's history has been badly served over the years. Defined by its relationship to England, Scotland's popular history is full of near-mythical figures and tragic events, her past littered with defeat, failure and thwarted ambition. The martyrdom of William Wallace, the tragedy of Mary Queen of Scots and the forlorn cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie all give the impression of 'poor' Scotland; a victim of misfortune, leading to the country's inevitable submission to the Auld Enemy. After the Union in 1707, Scotland's increasing reliance on England culminated in a crisis of confidence and identity that tortures the country to this day. But how accurate is this version of events? Using the very latest in historical research and by placing Scotland's story in the wider context of British, European and global history, some of the myths that pervade the past will be exploded to reveal a Scotland which forged its own destiny, often with success.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Scotland, Historical, Travel, European History, British Literature

440 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Neil Oliver is a Scottish archaeologist, historian, broadcaster and writer who has become widely known as the presenter of BBC television's series A History of Scotland and Coast.

His first fiction novel, Master of Shadows, is published by Orion in September 2015.

He lives in Stirling with his wife and three children.

Reviews

[Emmy B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this was... weird. I mean, just... just bad in a way that I never in a million years expected it to be bad.

For one it was weirdly sexist.

When talking of geology, the rise and fall of land after the melting of the icebergs is compared to a fat woman sitting down on it. I can’t tell if it’s exactly sexist, or if it’s just unfunny, either way it’s unnecessary. Any person of any size makes an indent on a sofa cushion and all this analogy tells me is that Oliver either doesn’t know this or else thinks the analogy he used is particularly witty. Either way a bit of a fail. Anyway, when I read this I was a little surprised. But then...

...then he talks of the remains of a woman being found with the teeth of forty different animals on a pendant around her neck. Oliver speculates that a son, husband or father must have been a great hunter. Possibly it was a status symbol to show that she was under the protection of a great hero. The wild idea that she could have hunted the animals herself apparently never occurs to him.

I’m not sure if this is sexism or if this is Oliver simply making questionable deductions. They seem that way in light of the evidence he presents (like in the case of the necklace perhaps he has evidence for who had hunted the animals or why she couldn’t have, but he doesn’t present it nor provide a footnote to a source so I could check for myself). For example, he muses about the time when hunter gatherers must have lived alongside farmers, and wonders whether land which was rapidly disappearing under rising sea levels might have provoked some hunter gatherers to stay put and farm land, because it might disappear soon. Which is an odd way to think - why invest into building the infrastructure and the purchase of cattle etc. when the rapidly disappearing land would surely have made any person wary that they might lose it all? It’s just not very logical.

Anyway, by this point I'm reading this with a firm



He then makes the claim that something like 80% of Britons have the DNA of the hunter-gatherers who first roamed these lands. He says:

“whoever arrived after the hunter-gatherers [...] they never came in numbers sufficient to alter fundamentally the bloodstock of the resident population. We are mostly the same people we have always been.”

I don’t want to believe the worst of people so I won’t accuse Oliver of writing some sort of nationalist wet dream, but at the same time I wonder why a serious historian would make this extraordinary claim and this in a way that makes it sound like it’s an uncontested truth? There is no footnote linking to the study that proves this point and a quick google search revealed that it doesn’t seem to be the consensus view at all, so what the hell is going on here?? Moreover, why make this statement at all unless it is in some way important to the author?? Also “altering the bloodstock”? Earlier he speaks of “watering down the DNA”. Honestly I’m getting a really queasy feeling about this book.

At this stage I am googling this guy. So it turns out that he has a bachelor’s degree in archaeology and an MA. He’s not a historian in the sense that Lucy Worsley or Mary Beard are historians. He has no actual PhD except for an honorary one and no speciality. I am now no longer surprised at his handling of academic evidence, but I am feeling cheated. I've seen him on the BBC and I assume they vet the people they let on there. Apparently not.

Anyway, this is just not for me. My most charitable reading is that this is a journalist with some background in history who has a sense of humour that doesn't gel with me, who doesn't source his claims, who is writing a sort of preferred fiction rather than the factual book I was looking for, and so we part ways.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Oliver, archeologist, historian, broadcaster and native Scot has written an captivating journey through Scotland's history. Mr. Oliver begins the book by stating "that Scotland's history belongs to every on of us: to all who live there now as well as to any whose family trees stretch a root all the way back to the old country from wherever they find themselves today." Considering the numbers of American whose ancestry hails from the British Isles this books has great significance in understanding not only that makes Scotland the country it is today but what traits our ancestors brought to the fabric of America and other countries they emigrated to.

This book is one of the most readable, enjoyable histories, not simply a chronology of kings and reagents from the ninth to the 18th centuries, but a rich story of the important figures and people that shaped Scottish history. Oliver takes care to select the most important figures and their significance in Scottish as well as European and early American history, describes in vivid detail important battles, debunks myths surrounding many historical figures, and plots the rise of patriotism. The book also describes the recent history of the 19th century to the present and Scotland's place in the world today.

[Caron · Rating 1 out of 5]

In condensing so vast a subject as the history of Scotland into a single book, Neil Oliver set himself a virtually impossible task. Instead of following one or two key themes, he has valiantly tried to cram in everything, but much of the time there's no room for detail to make it interesting. The result is page upon page of name dropping and brief, even dismissive, descriptions. Passages in the book are thoughtfully written, even poetic, but on the whole it is pure tedium. What a shame!

[Raluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first it was interesting to dive into the history of Scotland told with the passion that I admired in Neil Oliver, but I slowly discovered the fault in his pathos. Going back and forth on certain subjects and characters had me also going back and forth on my Kindle to make sure I understood things right and then his presumption on my foreknowledge of certain aspects of the history (and thus his wanting or lacking of explanation) had me questioning weather I should just find a better book, one that portrays events and the people important to them in a more logical and chronological way. All in all it was interesting to discover some of the lesser known facts and people of these land through Oliver's own findings but I would have liked it better if his ideas were better organized.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Episode 1 only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1xem...



Calgacus: He was the first Caledonian to be recorded in history. The only historical source that features him is Tacitus' Agricola, which describes him as "the most distinguished for birth and valour among the chieftains". Tacitus wrote a speech which he attributed to Calgacus, saying that Calgacus gave it in advance of the Battle of Mons Graupius. The speech describes the exploitation of Britain by Rome and rouses his troops to fight. (wiki sourced)

There is episode 2 but it is audio only. Nothing else is available and I'm sad about that. Will have to purchase the whole caboodle then I can watch again and again...

:O)

[Karen Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never watched an entire episode of the sublime-voiced Neil Oliver’s A History of Scotland (a situation I intend to remedy stat), I was really looking forward to reading his book about the same. Commencing his walk through time before the Big Bang (because, he explains, historians are often criticised for not going back far enough), Oliver takes the reader on a wild, breath-taking and heart-breaking ride through the mists and mountains of Scotland – the rugged Highlands, green-hilled lowlands and mirror-surfaced lochs; from the time of the earliest peoples to the Romans, Angles, Britons, Picts, Saxons, and all the others who laid claim to the magnificent and difficult land that came to be known as Scotland.
From the first King (Kenneth) to the trials and tribulations of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, the claims of the “Pretenders” to the throne, the ambivalent relationship with England, its people and its crown, the butchery, bravery and stupidity of Culloden, to the advent of slavery, growth of wealth (for a few), loss of language and identity, woes and hardship of famine, Clearances, British indifference and paternalism, unionism, and the blight and triumph of war and political machinations, the damage of Thatcherism, immigration and so much more. Oliver crams it all into these 367 pages.
Poetic, moving, exciting, heart-wrenching – much like the beautiful country and its amazing hardy people, this is a terrific book that reads more like a wonderful work of fiction half the time (or you wish it was), rather than the brutal, unapologetic reality it is. Never apologising, but always trying to contextualise and understand what made the Scots who they were and are today, the iconic people who played major roles in forming its social cultural and political landscape as well as the clans and workers who kept its heart beating, Oliver leaves no stone (including the rock/s upon which the country is built) unturned. Exposing the greed, enterprising spirit, creative and artistic endeavours, as well as boldness, foolishness and so much more of those hailing from all walks of life as well as every shore and island as well as city that forms Scotland, this is a marvellous introduction to the country and its rich and vibrant history and people – a people so many of us (including me) have descended from.
Having finished it, I can’t wait now to watch the series and enjoy this wild and haunting tale all over again, this time with magnificent scenery and imagery to support it.
Highly recommended for lovers of history, Scotland and cultural adventurers who enjoy an unforgettable read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

there's no fucking map. anywhere. at all. refers to all these places and I can't look at a map to build an understanding in my head of what is going on. honestly gave up 1/3rd in because of this and the review that pointed out the sexism. also suffers from flipping thru waaaaay too many names too quickly and often to no point. do i need to know about all of the generations between two important people, if they did nothing of note? naaah the bible exists for that reason if i wanted that.

[Neveah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got more and more uncomfortable with the underlying misogyny and bad attitude in this book, which was bourne out when I found out that this guy has some really objectionable politics. It was starting to emerge in the book, at which point it went into the recycling.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book on the history of Scotland by noted archaeologist/documentary presenter, and Scotsman, Neil Oliver.

An interesting book, but doesn't reach the heights that his Viking book did, which is the benchmark for me.

Well worth a read if you're interested in the auld country.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good overview of Scottish history, but the narrative gets very confused at times and he skips back and forward more than makes sense.

[Christine Spoors · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first non-fiction book I have read in a while and I really enjoyed it. History lessons in school only focused on main events in Scottish history so it was good to read a book that started with the formation of Scotland thousands of years ago and went all the way to the 21st century.
The author is clearly very passionate about history and I also really enjoyed his sense of humour. The author didn't use ridiculous language so the book was easy to read and wasn't confusing.
The book jumps back and forth in time a lot, but I found it easy to follow. It was great to gain a better understanding of events that I have heard mentioned but never actually researched.
I would recommend this book if you find Scottish history interesting as it is very concise.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein Geschichtsbuch ist doch immer etwas anderes als ein Roman. Es ist normal, dass es sich hier und da etwas zieht und dass man es nicht so schnell wegliest. Also halte ich auch nur in Stichpunkten fest, was gut und was schlecht war:

Was mir gefallen hat:
- Neil Olivers Erzählstimme. Sie geht nirgends unter und verleiht dem ganzen einen individuellen Stil
- der Fokus auf einzelnen Personen, die zwar bestimmt nicht immer historisch korrekt dargestellt wurden und hier und da viel Spekulationen enthielten, das Ganze dafür aber lebendiger werden ließen
- mehr Gewicht für Zusammenhänge, Kausalitäten und Zeitgeist als Daten und Herrscherhäuser
- die feine Balance zwischen schottischem Patriotismus und Vermeiden, deshalb in nationalistische Sichten abzudriften
- Bilder! Und weitere Lesehinweise, sowie ein Stichwortverzeichnis, wenn man noch mal nachblättern will, wie das mit einzelnen Ereignissen war
- alle Kapitel, die sich um Zeiten drehten, von denen ich eh schon viel wusste: Pikten und Kelten, Mary Queen of Scots, die Jakobiten und Culloden (hallo, Outlander!)

was mir nicht gefallen hat:
- der Anfang. Himmel, wie lange kann man über Steine schreiben? Und wie weitschweifend ist es, die Geschichte Schottlands erst mal mit der Entstehung der Erde und Kontinente zu beginnen? Mag zwar korrekt sein, aber wenn ich das will, such ich mir ein anderes Buch
- so viel Gewicht auf Zusammenhängen und Einzelpersonen, dass ich ungefähr nichts mehr weiß von den Epochen, von denen ich auch vorher nichts wusste. Es verschwimmt alles ineinander und vor allem, wenn der Sohn noch hieß wie der Vater und alle James nicht nur eine Nummer hatten, sondern gleich mehrere (weil König von Schottland und König von England...)
- Hier und da war es mir viel zu sehr gefärbt von Neil Oliver. Und zu spekulativ
- ein paar Zeittafeln oder Ähnliches wären nett gewesen. Klar, schreckt ab, weil es an ein Schulbuch erinnert, aber hätte mir sehr geholfen, wenn ich orientierungslos war, was gerade passiert

Generell war es für einen Überblick zu viel Input, für Einzelepochen und Schicksale zu wenig. Trotzdem eine lohnenswerte Lektüre.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like this book has taken me ages to read! Maybe it's because I've watched a few Neil Oliver documentaries, but my brain insisted on reading the whole thing in a melodic, male Scottish voice and that took longer than my plain English, speed-reading voice. I am aware that the previous sentence may make me sound mad!

It was a good book - although an early factual error irritated me for a couple of chapters - and I've learned a great deal about the history of Scotland, especially its relationship with England (there is so much to be ashamed of on our part). Oliver's writing is patriotic without being blinkered and that's quite refreshing.

[Celia Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

其實這本書的英文版
早在數年前到愛丁堡當交流生的時候已經買了
雖然一直都對Scotland Scottish history 等等很有興趣
但一直都沒有動力去看
直到看了outlander 劇集
最近又看了Dan jones 兩本英國史的書
就重拾了對英國歷史的興趣

這本書整體來説是一個不錯的蘇格蘭史入門
從蘇格蘭人的各度去看他們的從盤古初開到近年的歷史和身分認同
第一次知道Scotland 本身都有分不同種族
知識上增添不少之外
香港人人對身分認同的那一部分都頗有共鳴
作者説到蓋爾人的語言被消滅了
影響力和身份認同就隨之改變了
不過翻譯得不太流暢
第一章説Scotland geology 有些亂和沉悶
主要是因為缺乏了地圖和圖片

整體來講都是不錯的 推薦給大家!

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told me a lot more about Scotland than I knew before, but Neil Oliver’s evolutionary pessimism and rabid anti-Calvinism achieved the opposite of what he intended: the book did not make me glad to be Scottish. And that is the greatest crime that could be leveled against any Scottish history book. I’d love to read a history written from a joyful, optimistic, Christian perspective—let’s go!

[Helen McLaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally, finally finished this book! In general, I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Reading it really highlighted my lack of history knowledge. It was really fascinating to see how all these threads of Scottish history connect together and connect to the present. Some periods of history were more interesting to read about than others and the book is not light reading with so many time periods, people and events covered. I don't often read history books, so it is difficult for me to judge how this book compares to other history books. Overall, I enjoyed it and I would recommend reading it if you want a broad overview of Scottish history.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Oliver's A History of Scotland is a well-researched, comprehensive, and engaging read. It's a mean feat to condense several thousand of years into history into a 400 page book, but Mr. Oliver does a good job of it. He is at his best in the later sections, both because he significantly more source material to work from and because it's seem to me he -- like most people -- feel most connected to people from the early modern era forward. We see ourselves so much more clearly in someone from the 18th or 19th century than we do with someone from the 14th century. It's almost like he was able to write about those periods from the perspective of them being members of his family -- he felt more assured in that he knew them and that he could criticize him. Robert the Bruce, for all that he is a well known figure, still seems ever more distant.

Additionally, while he went on a bit long about how horrible slavery was (of course it is, but it read like he really wanted to prove just how non-racist he was. To be fair, I think that is a characteristic of a lot British authors, who have never had to confront the legacies of the slave trade in the same way as Americans. In that context, I can see why he really wants to impart to his reader that Glasgow and Edinburgh were built on slave labor, not just some type of Scottish ingenuity.

I also appreciated that in later chapters he seemed to dispense with some of his more jocular asides from the earlier chapters. Again, I think this is because he had more than enough information that was fascinating and detailed, and needed less filler.

Overall, a very well-done book and one I'm glad I read. I realize it's a kind of strange book to read, particularly because I'm probably not Scottish. I love Scotland the country, and have been there several times and it's one of my favorite places in the world, but I think my desire to read this was mostly born out of my ceaseless Anglo/Scotphilia, not out of a sense of heritage. And I appreciate that the book dispelled a lot of the touristy bits of history, like the fact that pre-Culloden clans did not have specific plaids associated with each family, but just wore whatever. I do enjoy when fun is spoiled in that manner.

[YITING · Rating 4 out of 5]

這本書也有BBC紀錄片，相較於先前讀的英國史(其實多是英格蘭視角......)沒那麼枯燥。內容從遠古板塊形成之時開始(就不能附張蘇格蘭地圖嗎!)，大約講到1997年蘇格蘭公投通過設立蘇格蘭議會。透過蘇格蘭的角度，也補充了很多英格蘭視角不會寫的東西。

整本書還是感覺有很多個詹姆士、麥克系列的人名(原來包含Mac、Mc.等的姓氏，很多都是蘇格蘭姓氏)，不過政治牽扯關係沒有比之前讀的英格蘭歷史書複雜，頂多寫到蘇格蘭跟法國結盟一起對抗英格蘭等等而已。另外作者行文間時不時流露出他對蘇格蘭的愛國情懷，看完這本書確實也蠻想去高地旅遊。

這本書作為蘇格蘭史的入門書也不錯。市面上好像蘇格蘭史的書也不多(?!)。之前讀查理‧蒙格的書時，他推薦過Arthur Herman寫的How the Scots Invented the Modern World。翻到書末，作者果真參考了那本書!台灣翻譯書名是《蘇格蘭人如何發明現代世界》，應該找個機會讀看看!

[Craig Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and well-written history of Scotland, I enjoyed reading it. I picked it up in the discount bin in Bookworld on Princes St a year or two ago, but it took me a while to get round to reading it.

Neil Oliver hedges his bets about when is the best time to start a history by going right back to Pangaea and Panthalassa, and following the geology of how Scotland formed. Then he covers the ice ages and the peopling of Scotland, it's pre-history and goes right up to the modern era.

It was impressively done, and I learned a lot of stuff about things that I kind of felt like I knew but actually didn't. Growing up somewhere there are things which seem so familiar you feel like you know them, but if asked to tell someone else it'd become pretty clear pretty quickly that you don't. That was part of my motivation to read this book - to get an actual grip on what happened during all those things I heard about. Like what was the deal with the Dal Riata and the Picts? Why did the Romans build Hadrian's Wall? What was up with Robert the Bruce?

This book answered all these questions and many more, in a clear and entertaining way. It suffered from the thing where I would get hazy about which King was which, but that's just down to the scope of the history, not a fault of the author.

Anyway, it was cool and now I have a lot more knowledge of the history of my country which I can half-remember when it comes up again. Nice!

[woodswit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good:

This book is a highly readable, entertaining take on Scottish history that does not demand much prior knowledge of the reader. If you’re looking for a good overview of Scottish history, encompassing the Picts, the Tudors, the rise and fall of the Stuarts, and the circumstances that have made Scotland what it is today, this is your best bet. There’s enough romance and flavor sprinkled throughout to make it feel a smooth read. It’s also written from a Scottish perspective which adds weight and meaning to it.

The bad:
It’s long (as it must be) and towards the end, Oliver understandably has to meander a lot to explain the different threads of more recent history. There are also some points of potential inaccuracy, but that’s history for you. As long as you don’t take this book as the be all end all of Scottish history, I don’t consider there to be any major sins of historical inaccuracy here.

The ugly:
Some really weird sexism and nationalism. Watch out for the chapter of Mary Queen of Scots in particular—that was some baffling writing that gave me pause multiple times and honestly made me uncomfortable. I’m usually happy to ignore evidence of the author’s beliefs in favor of extracting what I can from their work, but I definitely had a few moments where I wanted to just set this book aside for its odd sexism.

[Vinicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is rather unusual as far as I'm concerned for a Historian to manage to encompass nearly 5.000 years of acknowledged History into a single 400-some page volume. Neil may sound only dimly Anglicised as you progress, and to no surprise I realised he is actually Unionist, but he never truly ceases to prove his speciality throughout the bulk of reading. That is, Scottish nationalism, its upheavals, downfalls, sorrows and grieves, as well as its bumpy journey spanning a number of centuries of disregard, and identity-cleansing imposed hurtfully by its self-absorbed Southern neighbour. That to no avail, apparently. It is not impossible to get lost in betwixt such large a varied sum of events, in what could easily be interpreted as an as-concise-as-it-could-have-been-wrought-to-be story, but fortunately Neil's skills as an effortless storyteller keeps your eyes peeled at every page turn. And that is indeed quite a feat when you're considering navigating through quite a few pages on rock formation and geology.
I should definitely give the eponimously titled documentary a whirl next.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I walked into downtown Aberdeen and embarrassed myself (mildly) by asking the clerk – in my distinctive American accent – where the Scottish history section was. . . I felt so cliche, but he comforted me by saying, “We like that you want to know our people.” I picked up Neil Oliver’s History of Scotland, and I am really enjoying it. . . He presumes a certain level of knowledge – particularly geographical – from the reader, but I love the broad strokes he applies to history. I am, though, in the section on kings, and I’m bogged down. I’ll make it through, though. M also tells me that Neil Oliver did a good documentary video series for the BBC by this same title; I might have to check that out as well.

[Jed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Neil Oliver from his appearances on Coast because his enthusiasm encourages everyone to share in his love of history and I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book. I have very little knowledge of the history of Scotland, apart from vague ideas picked up from novels set there and from visiting Edinburgh on several occasions, so this filled in quite a few gaps. I did find some of the names confusing and found myself tracking back more than once to sort out who was who. I also lost a smidgen of interest once we arrived at more modern history. But all in all, very readable and enjoyable.

[Andrew Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting presentation of Scottish history, especially for those who had not much exposure to it earlier on. An interesting style, although one gets overwhelmed by the number of characters. It made me buy a more detailed book on the same subject by Magnus Magnusson.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver's enthusiasm over telling Scotland's history led to creative metaphors and flowery language throughout. Sometimes I wished it read more like a textbook — brief and to the point. But other times I loved the extra emotion.

Scotland's history is one of hardship. Fighting within to determine who should be in power, fighting invaders, fighting the English, who never seemed to give them a break.

Centuries of turmoil under an unstable monarchy make it clear to me what a stabilizing force democracy can be. No need to argue over claims, legitimate or not. An election points to a very clear winner.

A few dark spots in Scottish history:

- Edward I of England ("Hammer of the Scots")
- Henry VIII of England
" (forced removals of Highlanders in an attempt to destroy their culture)
- Famine and unemployment of the 20th century
- Margaret Thatcher's policies
- Every time someone assassinated the king and threw the country into bloody fighting
- Every time someone got into power then immediately swore allegiance to England

A few bright spots:

- Alexander, Lord of the Isles — ruling over relatively peaceful times in the isles while the mainland was a mess
- William Wallace, then Robert the Bruce trouncing Edward I, the. Edward II in battle at Stirling
- Alexander III, who ruled over an unusual period of calm (until he fell off his horse and died, sending the country into a bitter succession fight)
- The Enlightenment thinkers like Hume and Smith
- The successful shipyard at Clyde
- When Charles became king of both Scotland AND England

[Ginebra Lavao Lizcano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginners book for anyone keen on learning about bonnie Scotland. Pleasant to read and covers a wide range of topics without tedious detail. Perfect timing as I got to read all about the Holy Rude the night before of my choir concert there. Other reviews complain about the lack of detail in the book and that is true, considering all that it wants to encompass and the limited writing space. Therefore, if you already have a considerable understanding of this country's history, it might feel boring to you. But if you are just needing to get a quick recap of the main events and characters, to later on focus your research according to your personal interests, it's a good place to start. I didn't find it sexist like other books claim, but maybe I have different standards than other readers.

[alex franquinoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fascinating and informative! I thought it took on the daunting task of tracking the formation of Scotland as a land, people, and concept from its inception to the present. I would have liked to see more discussion of the clans and Highland culture rather than just in the background. But this has definitely opened a can of worms for me and can’t wait to learn more!

[dbt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of Scotland's game of thrones through the millennia. Interesting personalities, stomach turning gore, mind numbing political machinations, and the rise and fall cycles of the country's fortunes.

[Charlotte de Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

-None of this will matter then. Only the rocks lasts for ever.

[Wilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*