This weekly Scottish history newsletter provides historical events and figures from July 5th to 11th, including: 1) On July 5th, 1847 the final run of the Edinburgh to London mail coach took place as trains took over mail transport. 2) On July 6th, 1747 John Paul Jones, considered the founder of the US Navy, was born in Scotland. 3) On July 7th, 1814 Sir Walter Scott published 'Waverley', the first book in the Waverley Novels series. 4) Additional historical information is provided on Scottish kings, the oldest football club in Scotland, and a weekly history quiz.

1. Quick
Scottish
History
Issue 20 5 July – 11 July
This week in Scottish history…
5 July 1847 – Final run of the Edinburgh-London mail coach (trains took over)
6 July 1747 – birth of John Paul Jones, considered the founder of the US Navy
7 July 1814 – Publication of ‘Waverley’, the first book by Sir Walter Scott
8 July 1249 – Death of King Alexander II, replaced by his son, Alexander III
9 July 1867 – Foundation of Queens Park FC, Scotland oldest football club
10 July 1451 – Birth of King James III of Scotland. He became king in 1460
11 July 1274 – Birth of Robert the Bruce, future king of Scotland
A weekly guide to
Scotland’s past with
@mrmarrhistory
Weekly quiz
How long is the coastline of mainland Scotland?
Last week’s answer: Whisky must be matured for at least
three years in oak casks (but many are much longer).
The life of …
James Keir Hardie
James Keir Hardie – usually known as
just Keir Hardie – was a founder of the
Labour Party and the first Socialist to be
elected as an MP.
Hardie was born in Newhouse, near
Motherwell, in 1856.
His family was very poor and moved to
live in Govan, Glasgow. He worked from
age 7, limiting his education.
From age 10, Hardie worked in the
mines. He later became a trade union
organiser in the mines.
He became involved in left-wing politics
and was a parliamentary candidate in
various elections. He was elected as an
MP in 1892.
Hardie helped set up the Independent
Labour Party. This later joined with
other groups to be the Labour Party.
Keir Hardie became the leader of this
new political party.
After his time as an MP, he continued
campaigning, including against the First
World War.
Keir Hardie died in Glasgow in 1915,
after having had a number of strokes.
The Highland Clearances
During the 1700s and 1800s, thousands of Highlanders were
thrown off their land and forced to move elsewhere.
Highland crofters made little money; as such, landowners
believed they could make more money by removing these
people from their land.
Some landlords did this by raising rent, forcing people to
move. Others paid for people to leave, such as transport costs.
Once the land was free, it was then used for different
purposes. This was mainly for animal use, such as sheep
farming. However other people set up hunting estates.
The Highlanders often did not leave voluntarily. At times
violent evictions took place, often including the burning down
of cottages to prevent people returning.
As a result, there were often riots during these evictions.
Other people took steps including attacking the sheep.
Some of the most famous evictions took place in Sutherland.
Many of the Highlanders moved elsewhere in Scotland,
particularly to Glasgow. Others went abroad, starting new
lives in countries like Canada and Australia.
The Clearances ended with the 1886 Crofters’ Holdings Act,
which prevented the previous evictions.
To suggest topics get in touch via Twitter: @mrmarrhistory #quickscottishhistory