This illuminating and insightful guide offers a comprehensive overview of Scottish history, from the kingdom's genesis in the ninth century to the independence debates of the present day. Considering both internal dynamics and international horizons, Allan Macinnes asserts Scotland's heritage as significant and compelling in its own right, rather than reducing it to an offshoot of England's past.  Rigorous and wide-ranging, this textbook is an essential companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students of History. Its lively and accessible style makes it suitable for anyone with an interest in Scotland's national development.