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On this day in Scottish History
The Wigtown Martyrs are executed
On 11 May 1685, the 'Wigtown Martyrs' are executed for refusing to swear an oath declaring James VII/II as head of the church. William Johnston, John Milroy and George Walker were hanged while the...
On this day in Scottish History
Robert the Bruce defeats de Valence at Loudoun Hill
On 10 May 1307, Robert the Bruce gains his first significant victory over the forces of Edward I of England when he defeats Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and his army at...
On this day in Scottish History
Montrose defeats the Covenanters at Auldearn
On 9 May 1645, a Royalist army commanded by James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, heavily defeats a Scottish Covenanter force under Major-General Sir John Hurry (or Urry) at the Battle of Auldearn, outside Nairn,...
On this day in Scottish History
The burning of Edinburgh 1544
7 May 1544: After successfully landing in the Firth of Forth and capturing of the port of Leith, Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, leads an English army into Edinburgh which is burnt and looted...
On this day in Scottish History
The death of Sir George Bruce of Carnock
6 May 1625: The death in Culross of industrialist Sir George Bruce of Carnock, best remembered for his innovative off-shore coal mining techniques which attracted the interest of King James VI.
On this day in Scottish History
Charles I surrenders himself to the Scots
On 5 May 1646, King Charles I surrenders himself to General David Leslie, commander of the Scottish Covenanter army besieging Newark-on-Trent. They would hold him in Newcastle until he was handed over to the...
On this day in Scottish History
Loch Ness Monster sighting
2 May 1933: The first reported modern-day sighting of the Loch Ness Monster appeared in The Inverness Courier. A local couple spotted a creature "rolling and plunging for fully a minute, its body resembling...
On this day in Scottish History
The murder of James Sharp, Archbishop of St Andrews
On the 3rd May 1679, a group of Covenanters led by John Balfour of Kinloch murder James Sharp, Archbishop of St Andrews on Magus Muir, Fife. Sharp was returning to St Andrews with his...