Scots have always been vocal in their support for political
movements.
The suffragette campaign and war work of women led to a limited
extension of votes for women in 1918. This resulted in women
becoming more involved in politics in Scotland.
Many Scottish union members participated in the first ever
General Strike in 1926, and Scots were also vocal in protesting
against the poll tax in the early 1990s. You can see video footage
of these events in the gallery.
Despite the formation of the Scottish National Party in 1934,
loyalty to the Union of 1707 remained largely unchallenged in
Scotland until the 1970s. For most people, constitutional debate
seemed less important than more pressing problems of every day
life, such as recession and unemployment.
However, in the 1990s, devolution began to attract support from
campaigners across the country. On 9 September 1997, a referendum
was held to decide whether there should be a Scottish Parliament
and whether that Parliament should have tax raising powers. The
majority of Scots voted yes to both proposals. On 1 July 1999 a
Scottish Parliament met in Edinburgh for the first time since the
Act of Union in 1707.
Scottish Nationalist Party politician
"Stop the world. Scotland wants to get on"
"When I won the Hamilton by-election in 1967 I was asked when I
had become a Nationalist. I replied when I was eleven, on a trip
through the Kyles of Bute seeing the beauty, I felt an anger that
we were not a member of the World of Nations.
"As an MP from 1967 to 70 I was puzzled that Scotland's Unionist
parties were content with Scotland's lack of decision making - I
remain as puzzled today.
"In the European Parliament, with opportunities to join
international organisations, I met many distinguished international
politicians who asked 'what is taking Scotland so long?' I found a
great goodwill for Scotland internationally, yet we allow big
decisions about Scotland to be made by London, often to our
detriment."
Scottish Labour politician & Scotland's First Minister,
1999-2000
"There shall be a Scottish
Parliament."
"Through long years, those words were first a hope, then a
belief, then a promise. Now they are a reality. This, a moment
anchored in our history.
"Today, we reach back through the long haul to win this
Parliament, through the struggles of those who brought democracy to
Scotland, to that other Parliament dissolved in controversy nearly
three centuries ago.
"Today, we look forward to the time when this moment will be
seen as a turning point: the day when democracy was renewed in
Scotland, when we revitalised our place in this, our United
Kingdom.
I look forward to the days ahead when this chamber will sound
with debate, argument and passion. When men and women from all over
Scotland will meet to work together for a future built from the
first principles of social justice."
Taken from Dewar's speech at the opening of the Scottish
Parliament, 1 July 1999.