Text version of the constitutional timeline:
Text version:
PRE 1700:
162
Antonine’s Wall between Clyde and Forth in Caledonia abandoned as Romans retreat to Hadrian’s Wall
565
Columba establishes monastery on Iona
843
Kenneth MacAlpine unites Scots and Picts in ‘Kingdom of Scotland’
1293
Earliest existing record of a Scottish Parliament
1297
English army defeated at Battle of Stirling Bridge by William Wallace
1314
Edward II defeated at Battle of Bannockburn by Robert the Bruce
1320
Declaration of Arbroath – confirmation of Scotland’s status as an independent country in form of letter to Pope John XXII
1413
St Andrew’s University established
1513
James IV, King of Scots, killed at Battle of Flodden
1542
Birth of Mary Queen of Scots
1587
Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
1603
James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England
1625
Charles I succeeds James VI and I
1638
National Covenant
1642 – 1651
English Civil War
1644 – 1645
Scottish Civil War ends in victory for Covenanters over Royalists led by James Graham, Marquess of Montrose
1651-1660
Interregnum, Cromwell’s New Model Army occupies Scotland
1660
Restoration of monarchy with Charles II
1689
William and Mary proclaimed king and queen
1692
Massacre of Glencoe after Clan MacDonald chief fails to pledge allegiance to new monarchs
1697
Scottish Education Act sets out to achieve a school in every parish
1698
Ships of the Company of Scotland set sail for Darien in Panama in an ultimately futile and ruinously expensive attempt to establish overseas colony
1700 – 1900:
1701
English Parliament passes Act of Settlement to ensure Protestant succession through Hanoverian line
1702
Death of King William and accession of Queen Anne
1703
Scottish Parliament passes Act of Security claiming right to appoint its choice of successor. Royal Assent is refused
1705
English Parliament passes Alien Act branding Scots aliens but with proposal for Union of the two parliaments. Queen Anne appoints commissioners
1707
Act of Union ratified by Scottish Parliament creates United Kingdom of Great Britain. Parliament dissolved
1714
George I succeeds Queen Anne
1715
First Jacobite rising – the Old Pretender flees
1745
Second Jacobite rising
1746
Battle of Culloden-the Young Pretender flees
1747
Post of Secretary of State for Scotland abolished
1750
Highland Clearances begin
1759
Birth of Robert Burns, National Bard
1776
Adam Smith publishes An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
1800
Union with Ireland creates UK of Great Britain and Ireland
1829
Catholic emancipation granted by British Parliament
1837
Queen Victoria takes the throne
1843
The Disruption – 450 Ministers walk out of Kirk’s General Assembly in row over patronage and relationship with the State
1885
Secretary of Scotland Act and creation of Scottish Office
1886
Scottish Home Rule Association founded
1888
Mid Lanark by-election – first Labour platform to include ‘Home Rule for Scotland’
1900 – PRESENT:
1900
Formation of Labour Party with Keir Hardie as first chairman, supporting Home Rule for Scotland and Wales
1914
First World War begins
1916
Easter Rising in Dublin
1922
Anglo-Irish Treaty establishes Irish Free State, Northern Ireland partitioned
1924
Britain’s first Labour Government elected
1926
General Strike, cabinet post of Secretary of State for Scotland restored
1928
Equal Franchise Act gives women the vote on the same terms as men
1934
Establishment of Scottish National Party
1939
Outbreak of Second World War
1942
Beveridge report on ‘cradle to grave’ Welfare State
1945
SNP’s first Parliamentary representation when Robert McIntyre wins Motherwell by-election
1953
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, controversy over designation as ERII
1967
Hamilton by-election victory for SNP puts constitutional affairs top of UK agenda
1968
Prime Minister Edward Heath commits Conservative and Unionist Party to Scottish Devolution in ‘Declaration of Perth’
1969
Formation of Royal Commission on Constitution (Kilbrandon) to investigate UK’s constitutional structures
1973
Commission recommends devolved assemblies for Scotland and Wales
1975
First North Sea oil produced
1979
Referendum result in favour of a Scottish Assembly founders on ’40 per cent rule’
1988
Publication of ‘A Claim of Right’ by Campaign for a Scottish Assembly
Merger of pro-devolution Liberal & Social Democrat parties
1989
First meeting of Scottish Constitutional Convention
1997
Referendum provides overwhelming support for a Scottish Parliament with tax raising powers
1998
Scotland Act assigns devolved powers to a Scottish Parliament
1999
Scottish Parliament reconvenes on the Mound in Edinburgh, the oldest MSP Winnie Ewing says:
‘The Scottish Parliament, which adjourned on March 25, 1707 is hereby reconvened’
2004
Royal opening of Scottish Parliament at Holyrood
2007
Launch of National Conversation on Scotland’s Constitutional Future by Scottish Government
2008
Formation of Commission on Scottish Devolution (Calman) to review experience of devolution since 1998
2009
Launch of Your Scotland, Your Voice
2010
Scotland Bill introduced at Westminster
2011
SNP win majority of seats at election to form Holyrood’s first majority government
2012
Launch of referendum consultation, Your Scotland, Your Referendum
Signing of Edinburgh Agreement by First Minister and UK Prime Minister
2013
Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill introduced to Scottish Parliament
Scottish Independence Referendum Bill introduced to Scottish Parliament – referendum date announced for 18 September 2014
18 SEPTEMBER 2014
Scottish independence referendum