The Union
Enter a new phase of British history as Scotland and England are
united under one Parliament.
What were the consequences for Scotland of the Act of Union of
1707? This is a question that we're still asking today.
Passing the treaty
The display begins by looking at the succession to the crowns
and the setting up of a British parliament (Case 1).
Each clause of the treaty was fiercely debated in the Scottish
parliament, and the Scottish people also had strong views,
expressed in the streets and in the press and pamphlets. Some of
the key players in the debate are presented on the panel to your
right as you go in.
Succession to the throne
A main concern of the Act was to secure the throne for the
Protestant faith, which excluded the exiled Catholic Stewarts and
identified the Electress of Hanover as heir.
Trade and the economy
The Act also gave Scotland access to markets in England and her
colonies overseas. Find out about trade and the economy through the
objects in Case 2.