Editorial

26 April 1711: The birth in Edinburgh of David Hume, the most influential thinker of the Scottish Enlightenment and one of the greatest philosophers of all time.

25 April 1710: The birth near Rothiemay of Scottish astronomer James Ferguson. Ferguson gained fame through his travelling lectures and easy-to-understand works on the basics of astronomy, despite never receiving formal training. He learned...

24 April 1558: 15-year-old Mary Queen of Scots marries 14-year-old Francoise, Dauphin of France in Paris. As part of the marriage contract, Mary agreed to bequeath Scotland to France if she should die without...

23 April 1733: Construction of Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy began when Lieutenant-General George Wade placed the first stone. The bridge was designed by William Adam and cost £4095 5s 10d. It was part of...

22 April 1304: Edward I of England began the siege of the strategically important Stirling Castle, held by Sir William Oliphant and 30 men. The siege ended on 24 July after 3 months of...

21 April 1703: Following a number of devastating fires in the city of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Act was passed for the formation of a ‘Company for Quenching of Fires’. 21 April 1746: The City of...

20 April 1644: After seizing the town of Dumfries for Charles I with a force of English Royalists on 15 April, James Graham, Earl of Montrose was forced to withdraw back into England when...

19 April 1390: The death of Robert II at Dundonald Castle in Ayrshire. The son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland and Marjorie Bruce (Robert the Bruce's daughter) Robert was the first...