Scotland

The Story of Scottish Art episode 1

The Story of Scottish Art episode 1

Art / 4 minutes of reading / / By

The Story of Scottish Art episode 1: In the first programme, Lachlan explores Scotland’s earliest art. He visits the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney, where standing stones have watched the seasons pass for thousands of years. On the island of Westray he encounters an ancient figurine – the Westray Wife – the oldest sculpted human figure in the British Isles. He explores the sophisticated art of the Picts and the Gaels, the exuberant Renaissance period of the early Stewart kings, and the destructive heights of the Reformation, when religious artworks were all but wiped out in Scotland.     In […]

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After Braveheart episode 2

After Braveheart episode 2

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

After Braveheart episode 2: What happened when the army of Robert Bruce invaded Ireland in order to unite the Celtic nations against English oppression? Few know that the last High King of Ireland was a Scotsman, Edward, brother of Robert Bruce. This docudrama brings the period and people of this conflict to life.     This docudrama series reveals the untold story of how a Scottish army tried to drive the English out of Ireland 700 years ago.   After Braveheart episode 2 Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the

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After Braveheart episode 1

After Braveheart episode 1

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

After Braveheart episode 1: This docudrama series reveals the untold story of how a Scottish army tried to drive the English out of Ireland 700 years ago.     This is a story of two Celtic nations, a shared heritage and a forgotten war that could have changed the course of history. Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, decided to invade Ireland to unite the Celtic nations against the English. Now for the first time, these dramatic events are explored on screen.   After Braveheart episode 1   Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly

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A History of Scotland episode 5 - Project Britain

A History of Scotland episode 5 – Project Britain

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

A History of Scotland episode 5 – Project Britain: Neil Oliver describes how the ambitions of two of Scotland’s Stuart monarchs were the driving force that united two ancient enemies, and set them on the road to the Great Britain we know today.     While Mary Queen of Scots plotted to usurp Elizabeth I and seize the throne of England, her son James dreamt of a more radical future: a Protestant Great Britain.   A History of Scotland episode 5 – Project Britain   Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587),

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A History of Scotland episode 4 - Language is Power

A History of Scotland episode 4 – Language is Power

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

A History of Scotland episode 4 – Language is Power: Neil Oliver reveals the story of the infamous Highland/Lowland divide, which was the result of a family struggle.     At one time, Gaelic Scotland – the people and the language – was central to the collective identity of Scots. But as Neil Oliver reveals, Scotland’s infamous Highland/Lowland divide was the result of a family struggle that divided the kingdom. This is the story of how the centralising policies of the Stewart royal family in the 15th century led to the Gaels being perceived as rebels and outsiders.   A

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A History of Scotland episode 3 - Bishop Makes King

A History of Scotland episode 3 – Bishop Makes King

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

A History of Scotland episode 3 – Bishop Makes King: Documentary series charting Scottish history. Neil Oliver investigates the role the church played in Robert Bruce’s struggle to secure Scottish independence.     Robert Bruce’s 22-year struggle to secure Scottish independence is one of the most important chapters in the country’s history. Neil Oliver explores the crucial role the Scottish church played in promoting the cause of Robert Bruce, how they launched repeated propaganda campaigns, both at home and abroad, and how the famous 1320 Declaration of Arbroath ultimately persuaded the Pope to finally recognise Scotland as an independent nation.

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A History of Scotland episode 1 - The Last of the Free

A History of Scotland episode 2 – Hammers of the Scots

History / 3 minutes of reading / / By

A History of Scotland episode 2 – Hammers of the Scots: Neil Oliver charts the 13th century story of the two ruthless men who helped transform the Gaelic kingdom of Alba into the Scotland we recognise today.     While Alexander II forged Scotland in blood and violence, William Wallace’s resistance to the nation-breaking King Edward I of England hammered national consciousness into the Scots.   A History of Scotland episode 2 – Hammers of the Scots   Alexander II of Scotland Alexander II was King of Scotland from 1214 until his death. He concluded the Treaty of York (1237)

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A History of Scotland episode 1 - The Last of the Free

A History of Scotland episode 1 – The Last of the Free

History / 2 minutes of reading / / By

A History of Scotland episode 1 – The Last of the Free: Archaeologist, broadcaster and writer Neil Oliver charts the birth and growth of the Scottish nation in a comprehensive series.     Over 10 episodes, Oliver presents the best of Scotland’s varied landscapes, iconic landmarks, monuments and historic architecture — all shot in high definition — picking up on the richness of the country’s heritage as well as its major characters and influences. The series begins with how the Gaelic Scottish Kingdom was born in the ninth century and moves on to episodes detailing the infamous Highland/Lowland divide, the

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Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs episode 8

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 8

Travel / 3 minutes of reading / / By

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 8: Paul travelling hopefully from the shores of Loch Hope to the glorious and lonely expanse of Sandwood Bay on the far north west of Scotland. Along the way he encounters a Pictish king and an ancient broch, discovers wartime secrets in Loch Eriboll and a hidden monument to a naval disaster.     The single-track road around Loch Eriboll still uses passing places to allow overtaking. It was on this very same road in the 1960s that John Lennon of the Beatles crashed his car. Reaching the north coast of Scotland, Paul plunges

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Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs episode 7

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 7

Travel / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 7: Paul sails along a much-loved route through the Kyles of Bute to Dunoon, discovering a secret history of WW2 bouncing bombs along the way.     From Dunoon and its connections with international singing star Harry Lauder, Paul gets nostalgic about nuclear submarines in the Holy Loch. Here he meets a man with an impressive water-powered organ. Crossing the loch, Paul beats hot steel with a blacksmith whose ancestors have been working Vulcan’s forge for six generations. Their work includes the Golden Gates at Benmore gardens, where Paul learns about a sugar daddy

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Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs episode 6

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 6

Travel / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 6: Paul explores the magical Argyll coast, travelling from the sacred sands of Kilmory Bay on Loch Sween.     On the beautiful Lilly Loch in Knapdale forest he gets a glimpse of beaver, before joining a group of steam enthusiasts restoring an old puffer on the Crinan Canal. Stone Age rock art leads him north to Loch Awe, where he drives a herd of Highland cows towards his final destination – the mountainous heights of Ben Cruachan.   Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 6   Argyll Argyll sometimes called Argyllshire, is a

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Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs episode 5

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 5

Travel / 2 minutes of reading / / By

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 5: 1.2 billion years ago, the far north of Sutherland was struck by a meteorite.     The wreckage of this cataclysmic event has been almost completely worn away by time, but the rocks in the landscape still bear some traces, which Paul unpicks as he embarks on a grand tour from Lairg on Loch Shin to Lochinver and, finally, to the summit of Suilven – the sugarloaf mountain.   Grand Tours of Scotland’s Lochs episode 5   Loch Shin Loch Shin is a loch in the Scottish North West Highlands. To the south

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