Threave Castle will welcome visitors back to its interior for the first time in four years, starting Saturday 1 August, following the completion of high-level masonry inspections and necessary conservation work by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Threave Castle interior reopens to the public after conservation work

Threave Castle will welcome visitors back to its interior for the first time in four years, starting Saturday 1 August, following the successful completion of high-level masonry inspections and necess...

scottishhistory.org

Kelso Abbey is welcoming visitors once again after five years of closure due to essential conservation work undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland.

Kelso Abbey reopens to visitors for the first time in five years

Kelso Abbey is welcoming visitors once again after five years of closure due to essential conservation efforts undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the organisation responsible for manag...

scottishhistory.org

Lachlan Mór Maclean and the Torloisk wedding massacre

Lachlan Mór Maclean and the Torloisk wedding massacre

On 12 April 1588, the marriage of John MacIain of Ardnamurchan and Lady Janet Campbell, the widowed mother of Lachlan Mór Maclean, 10th Laird of Duart, and daughter of the 4th Earl of Argyll, took pla...

scottishhistory.org

Two rare Jacobite-era pistols have been brought together in a new exhibition at Montrose Museum. A pistol, on loan from National Museums Scotland, is showcased alongside its counterpart in Tartan & Turmoil: The Angus Jacobite Story.

Jacobite-era pistols reunited in new exhibition at Montrose Museum

Two rare Jacobite-era pistols have been brought together in a new exhibition at Montrose Museum. A pistol, which is on loan from National Museums Scotland, is showcased next to its counterpart in Tart...

scottishhistory.org

Groundwork has officially begun on the Glencoe Folk Museum’s major £3 million refurbishment project, marking the start of work to transform the historic venue into a modern, fully indoor visitor attraction, with a reopening anticipated for spring 2027.

Groundworks begin on Glencoe Folk Museum’s £3 million refurbishment project

Groundworks have officially begun on the Glencoe Folk Museum’s major £3 million refurbishment project, marking the start of work to transform the historic venue into a modern, fully indoor visitor att...

scottishhistory.org

10 July 1455: In support of the Black Douglases, Dòmhnall Ballach Mac Dhòmhnaill (Donald Balloch Macdonald) of Dunnyveg launched a raid on the Clyde, burning the town of Inverkip, attacking the Stewart stronghold of Rothesay Castle and raiding the Isles of Cumbrae and the Isle of Arran.

A new report published by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed traces of a possible new stone or timber circle at Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran, a rich landscape of archaeological remains which includes stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists.

Geophysics survey reveals new ancient circle at Machrie Moor

A new report published by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed traces of a possible new stone or timber circle at Machrie Moor on the Isle of

scottishhistory.org

As part of its Historic Summer campaign, Historic Scotland is offering a 20% discount on admission tickets at a number of its sites throughout the country. This offer is available to UK residents from 26 June to 1 September 2026.

20% discount on tickets at a range of Historic Scotland sites this summer

As part of its Historic Summer campaign, Historic Scotland is offering a 20% discount on admission tickets at a number of its sites throughout the country.

scottishhistory.org

For the first time, objects from the richest Iron Age burial ever discovered in Scotland will be on display this weekend at the National Museum of Scotland. The exhibition will feature rare weapons, jewellery, and fittings found in the grave of a young man who was buried 2,000 years ago.

Iron Age burial objects to go on display for the first time

For the first time, objects from the richest Iron Age burial ever discovered in Scotland will be on display this weekend at the National Museum of Scotland.

scottishhistory.org

A medieval comb, intricately carved and first discovered in the 1980s, has returned to display at Jedburgh Abbey.

Medieval Jedburgh comb returns to Jedburgh Abbey

A medieval comb, intricately carved and first discovered in the 1980s, has returned to display at Jedburgh Abbey. This unique and significant artefact,

scottishhistory.org

24 June 1488: 15-year-old James IV was crowned King of Scots at Scone Abbey, after his father, James III, was killed fighting rebel forces nominally led by his son, at the Battle of Sauchieburn on 11 June.

On 15 June 1725, Russian warships and transport vessels anchored off the Isle of Lewis while en route to Spain. Rumours quickly spread that they were there to land arms and men to support a Jacobite rising, and it was feared that this was part of a larger Russian invasion.

Russia and the Jacobite scare of 1725

On 15 June 1725, Russian warships and transport vessels anchored off the Isle of Lewis while en route to Spain. Rumours quickly spread that they were there to land arms and men to support a Jacobite r...

jacobitewars.com

30 April 1650: Following his defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale on 27 April, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, arrived at Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt. Here, Montrose sought refuge but was betrayed by the laird Neil MacLeod of Assynt and delivered to General David Leslie at Tain.

On 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 Wade's Crieff-Dalnacardoch military road and still carries road traffic today.

The 9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry of the Territorial Force at Gailes Camp, Ayrshire, in 1909. The Territorial Force came into existence on 1 April 1908 as part of the army reforms under Richard Haldane, Secretary of State for War.

Men of the Royal Marine Division training in the snow at Hawick in March 1942. Their mountain and cold-weather warfare training was part of the deception operation HARDBOILED, designed to fool the Germans into believing a landing in Norway was imminent.

17 January 1746: In a storm of sleet, wind and hail, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart clashed with government forces commanded by Lieutenant-General Henry Hawley at the Battle of Falkirk Muir, the largest military engagement of the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

Private M. Methven from Methilhill, Fife, and Private M. Holme from Kendal, Westmorland, searching the skies for hostile aircraft at a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft battery at Cairneyhill near Dunfermline in January 1943. 📸 IWM (H 26574)

RMS Empress of Britain arriving at Greenock on 17 December 1939 with the first Canadian soldiers to arrive in Britain. The vessel was one of four liners of Canadian troop convoy TC.1. In the background are the battlecruiser HMS Hood and the battleship HMS Warspite, which had escorted TC.1.

A plan of the battle of Prestonpans by Paul Fourdrinier, based on a plan drawn by an officer of engineers who was present at the engagement. The identity of the engineer on whose map this published map is based is unknown. 📜 RA CP/MAIN/5 f.164-164b

On 13 September 1653, a Cromwellian flotilla anchored off Duart Castle, Isle of Mull, was ravaged by a storm, which sank three warships, including the Swan. The ships were supporting Colonel Ralph Cobbett's expedition to subdue Clan Maclean during the Earl of Glencairn's Royalist uprising.

3 September 1745: The Jacobite army marched from Blair Castle, through the Pass of Killiecrankie and on to Dunkeld. Charles Edward Stuart lodged in Dunkeld House, where he was entertained by local fiddler Niel Gow. The advance guard led by Lochiel and Keppoch arrived at Perth and secured the town.

The "Lily" floating airstrip during trials off Lamlash, Isle of Arran, on 30 August 1945. Created by R. M. Hamilton, it consisted of hexagonal buoyancy drums connected to form a flexible landing surface. It was intended to support the planned invasion of Japan. 📸 Lt D. C. Oulds / IWM (A 30255)

Ready your muskets and join the Sir Arthur Erskine regiment for a tour of the site of Dunkeld's 1689 Jacobite Battle! 22-23 August 2025. For more info and to book visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunkeld-ba...

21 August 1689: The Jacobites under Brigadier-General Alexander Cannon attacked the Earl of Angus's Regiment commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Cleland, holding the town of Dunkeld. The brutal urban fighting would see most of the town destroyed before the Jacobites were forced to withdraw.

On 16 August 1745, two companies from the 2nd Battalion of St Clair’s 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots), marching to reinforce the garrison of Fort William, were attacked by a party of Macdonalds at Highbridge in the first military engagement of the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

Action at Highbridge: The first shots of the Jacobite ’45 - Jacobite Wars

On 16 August 1745, two companies from the 2nd Battalion of St Clair’s 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots), marching to reinforce the garrison of Fort William, were attacked by a party of Macdonalds at ...

jacobitewars.com

8 August 1503: 30-year-old James IV married 13-year-old Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England, in a ceremony in Holyrood Abbey. The wedding was portrayed as the marriage of the Thistle and the Rose by the Scots poet William Dunbar.

Hi @scottishhistory.org I'd really appreciate a shout-out for my upcoming event @edbookfest.bsky.social on my book Connecting Scotland's History - 18 August - and available to watch online (you decide what to pay!) bit.ly/3J0amPx

Watch online: Anna Groundwater: Finding Scotland’s Place in World History

From Mon 18 Aug - Though small in landmass, Scotland and her people have had a mighty impact on the world over many centuries. In Connecting Scotland's History, Anna Groundwater demonstrates the richn...

bit.ly

8 August 1503: 30-year-old James IV married 13-year-old Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England, in a ceremony in Holyrood Abbey. The wedding was portrayed as the marriage of the Thistle and the Rose by the Scots poet William Dunbar.