War

Discover Scotland's experience of two World Wars and how this affected everyday life.

War had a greater impact on Scotland during the 20th century than in any other previous age. Whether through active service or by their experience at home, war touched the lives of most Scots.

First World War

Scotland suffered heavy losses of life during the First World War. Over 300,000 Scots enlisted before conscription was introduced in 1916. By the end of the war, over 550,000 Scots had joined the British Army.

Second World War

In the Second World War, Scottish industry was vulnerable to direct attack, particularly shipyard factories and naval bases. Its distance from Germany meant Scotland escaped the worst effects of the war, but the aftermath affected Scottish politics, economics and society.

Wartime Scotland

In this gallery, you'll read stories from ordinary Scots who achieved extraordinary things during the two World Wars, and find out how life in Scotland changed.

Sergeant-Piper Daniel Laidlaw was an experienced soldier who volunteered to rejoin the army at the outbreak of the First World War.

Laidlaw's bravery in the battle of the Loos on 25 September 1915 won him the highest military award, the Victoria Cross.

"During the worst of the bombardment, Piper Laidlaw, seeing that his company was badly shaken from the effects of gas, with absolute coolness and disregard of danger, mounted the parapet, marched up and down and played the company out of the trench.

"The effect of his splendid example was immediate and the company dashed out to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes until he was wounded."

Daniel Laidlaw survived the battle and the rest of the war and died, aged 74, in 1950.