Political Wrangling (1329–1746)
The new country of Scotland became led by a dynasty of kings and queens from the Stewart family and for about 400 years their history became Scotland’s. This era was full of tangles with English and French royalty, and a line of pretenders to the Scottish throne who fought to get it back with the help of supporters known as Jacobites.
Most Jacobites came from the Highlands, with many loosely ruled by Clan MacDonald on Islay. Meanwhile Scotland's Lowlands were firmly in Stewart hands and benefited immensely as they slowly got the upper hand over the Highlanders and eventually completely sidelined and persecuted them and their Gaelic culture.
Text © Christian Williams
Images by dun_deagh, Paul Hudson, Son of Groucho