The Scots and the Union: Then and Now – public lecture, 29th May

Published On Fri 23 May 2014 by Roddy Isles

How did Scotland get to the position where issues of union with the rest of the UK are once again at the forefront of debate? And how does it compare to the time when that union was established 307 years ago?

These questions will be explored at a public lecture in Dundee next week by Professor Christopher Whatley, one of Scotland’s leading historians and author of the acclaimed book `The Scots and The Union: Then and Now’.

`The Scots and The Union’ has just been republished in a revised and extended version. When first published in 2007, to mark the tricentenary of the Union, it received huge critical acclaim for being a game-changing account of the making of the United Kingdom. Exploding the myth of 'bought and sold for English gold', it was deemed to have 'reset the histography of Scotland'.

In the new edition Professor Whatley not only provides readers with an essential explanation of why and how Scotland became part of the UK but brings the historical debate into a vigorous present.

“The current debate offers many interesting issues, not least historically in how Scotland was reacting to the prospect of Union in 1707 and how that Union is viewed now,” said Professor Whatley, who is Professor of Scottish History at the University of Dundee.

“In the book, and in this week’s lecture, I also look at how Scotland compares with some other smaller European nations which have become independent states in recent years. There are some significant differences in attitudes which I think are very telling in how we view our relationship with the rest of the UK compared to how some states viewed those they separated from.”

Professor Whatley will be presenting his lecture at the University’s Dalhousie Building on Thursday May 29^th at 6pm. The event is presented as part of the University’s 5 Million Questions project, and will be followed by a book signing and drinks reception.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Corporate Communications
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384910
Mobile: 07800 581902
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk