[Starwolf]

And unless you're an native of the British Isles I'd be a bit more hesitant about lecturing a Brit about his history.

For many Americans you may be right, but some of us have strong family ties to there and in my case an advanced degree in History with a specialization in the Elizabethan times. You should hear my undergraduate lectures on Mary Queen of Scots.

There are also different views of that time period among historians, however, several things are commonly agreed to...the Scots historically had their own king and were conquered (repeatedly) by the English. Eventually the Scottish nobility were co-opted by the English and via that, became part of the United Kingdom, winning peace without major bloodshed..

In Europe today, with the fundamental loss of sovereignty that the EU represents, the concept of a Free Scotland is almost silly.

[RedMonqey]

iFor many Americans you may be right, but some of us have strong family ties to there and in my case an advanced degree in History with a specialization in the Elizabethan times.

Speaking as an fellow American I can attest to your statement about the ignorance of our own history and to find someone who can debate British History, much less a distinct period of British history is rare indeed.

You are indeed a unique person.

[the scotsman]

‘There are also different views of that time period among historians, however, several things are commonly agreed to...the Scots historically had their own king and were conquered (repeatedly) by the English. Eventually the Scottish nobility were co-opted by the English and via that, became part of the United Kingdom, winning peace without major bloodshed..’

The important factor is though that any ‘conquest’/occupation was temporary,and Scotland was never permanently conquered by England, unlike the Welsh or Irish(the former technically isnt even a country!).

This gave us some political leverage in 1707(if not economic thanks to Darien)to negotiate our way into the Union rather than be pressganged as a conquered nation.