HomeOn this day in Scottish History
On this day in Scottish History
Notable – and not so notable – events that happened on this day in Scottish History
On this day in Scottish History
Quintinshill rail disaster
On 22 May 1915, 227 people are killed and 246 more are injured in a rail crash at Quintinshill, near Gretna Green. The accident happened when a troop train carrying almost 500 soldiers of...
On this day in Scottish History
Marquis of Montrose is executed
On 21 May 1650, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, the chief Royalist military commander in Scotland, was executed in Edinburgh. Montrose had initially been one of the nobles to draw up the National Covenant in...
On this day in Scottish History
Mary, Queen of Scots is defeated at Langside
On 13 May 1568, at the Battle of Langside, Mary, Queen of Scots is defeated in her attempt to regain the throne from her son, James VI, and his supporters, led by Mary's half-brother,...
On this day in Scottish History
St Columba lands on Iona
On 12 May 563, Saint Columba and twelve companions land on the island of Iona, where they would establish a monastery. The island of Iona is said to have been granted to Columba by...
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...