This is a course for Upper Intermediate or Advanced students of English on the theme of Life in Scotland

It was developed partly in response to the Life in the UK book which people seeking British citizenship are required to study. That book portrays almost everything in UK history or contemporary society in a positive light. In contrast, in my course, while I discuss many of the wonderful things about life in Scotland today, I also cover some of the shameful aspects of Scottish history and society - including witchhunts, slavery, sectarianism, social and economic inequality, and drug deaths

The 47 individual texts that make up the course are grouped into different sections: Overview; History; Places and buildings; Politics and society; and Science, sport and culture. To read the texts simply click on the link. Enjoy!

Overview

Scotland today

Scotland and England

Languages in Scotland

History

The first inhabitants of Scotland

The Romans in Scotland

Scotland takes shape

King David I

William Wallace and Robert the Bruce

Mary, Queen of Scots

Witches

Darien and the Act of Union

Scotland and slavery

Culloden and the Clearances

The Industrial Revolution in Scotland

Scots in the British Empire

Scotland and the two World Wars

Scotland since 1945

Places and buildings

St Kilda

The Forth Bridge

Edinburgh Old Town and New Town

Glasgow

Southern Scotland

The Highlands and Islands

Castles

Politics and society

The rise of the SNP

The Scottish Parliament

The Census

Scotland and the Monarchy

Religion in Scotland

Poverty and inequality in Scotland

Education and health in Scotland

Energy and climate change

Scotland’s place in the world

Science, sport and culture

Geology

Wildlife

Scottish discoveries and inventions

Football

Golf

Scottish food and drink

Burns

Walter Scott and the invention of Scottishness

Robert Louis Stevenson

Harry Potter

Trainspotting: book, film and reality

Scottish cinema

Music

Scottish art and architecture