Murray Pittock - The Shortest History of Scotland
About this episode
Alistair Braidwood interviews Professor Murray Pittock about his book 'The Shortest History of Scotland', discussing key historical events and themes.
For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali spoke to Professor Murray Pittock to talk about his latest book The Shortest History of Scotland , which is published with Old Street Publishing Ltd. “From Columba to The Corries, the Picts to Paisley, Doggerland to Devolution – here is the unmissable story of Scotland.” Murray tells us how he came to write this book, the challenges in deciding what to include and why (and fitting it into just over 200 pages), and how such restrictions shaped the structure and style. He also explains why he selected quotations from Václav Havel and Edwin Muir for the epigraph, where and why he chose to begin this story, and the challenges in dividing the eras and periods. The two then discuss the relationships with England and the rest of Europe, the Declaration of Arbroath, the importance of the formation of the royal burghs and how they held the key to trade, the economy, and education. They also touch upon the Enlightenment, early Scottish literature, John Knox, the Darien scheme, and so much more. There is also conversation about the present day and what the future may hold, and the complex yet important issue of selling Scotland around the world. It…
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