This is an essay on Scottish cultural history and identity from the author's personal perspective. Sir Walter Scott feared that the distinctive history and character of his country would be submerged by that of England: Massie believes that this was too pessimistic, and that Scott helped to create a distinctive Scottish identity. He discusses Scotland's historical legacy, its race, language, religion and principles of democracy and education. He assesses Scott's achievement, a legacy for good and ill, reviving patriotism, which later turned to sentimental Jacobitism. He also looks at Scotland in the industrial era, and Scottish literature, including Stevenson, Burns, Geddes and McDiarmid. Finally, he examines modern Scottish life and institutions, the kirk, the legal system and Scottish nationalism, in today's Britain and Europe.
- ISBN10 0140179984
- ISBN13 9780140179989
- Publish Date 3 December 2015
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Out of Print 30 April 2007
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 256
- Language English