This is a history of Scotland as a society experiencing industrialization and urbanization in all its aspects and it takes the impact of these processes over their widest range from croft, bothy and hunting lodge to mines, foundries, and urban poor houses. The volumes create an awareness of the identity and distinctiveness of Scotland and recognize it as a multi-cultured society, the highland and lowland cultures being only the major ones among several.

This is the second volume of a three-volume study of Scottish social change and development from the eighteenth century to the present day, originally published by John Donald in association with the Economic and Social History Society of Scotland. The series covers the history of industrialisation and urbanisation in Scottish society and records many experiences which Scotland shared in common with other societies, looking at the impact of those changes throughout the spectrum of society from croft, bothy and hunting lodge to mines, foundries and urban poor houses. The series is intended to illustrate the identity and distinctiveness of Scotland through its separate institutions and through areas such as language, law and religion and recognises Scotland as a multi-cultured society, the highland and lowland cultures being only two among several.

This book challenges conventional wisdom and provides new insights into Scottish social and economic history. Christopher A. Whatley argues that the Union of 1707 was vital for Scottish success, but in ways which have hitherto been overlooked. He proposes that the central place of Jacobitism in the historiography of the period should be revised. Comprehensive in its coverage, the book is based not only on an exhaustive reading of secondary material but also incorporates a wealth of new evidence from previously little-used or unused primary sources.

This is a history of Scotland as a society experiencing industrialization and urbanization in all its aspects and it takes the impact of these processes over their widest range from croft, bothy and hunting lodge to mines, foundries, and urban poor houses. The volumes create an awareness of the identity and distinctiveness of Scotland and recognize it as a multi-cultured society, the highland and lowland cultures being only the major ones among several.