Chronology of Scottish Politics

'Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord,' Wha struts, an stares, an a' that? Tho hundreds worship at his word, He's but a cuif for a' that. For a' that, an a' that, His ribband, star, an a' that, The man o independent mind, He looks an laughs at a' that.' From 'A man's a man for a' that' by Robert Burns.

A Scottish Political Timeline

The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh, 8 th May 2008.

The following chronology notes some of the most significant and important events in Scottish political history. It is regularily added to and updated. The list presently includes details of parliamentary elections and by-elections back to 1950 and local by-elections back to 1995. Suggestions for additions to this list and any corrections are welcomed.

Significant Political Events

The Three Estates: until 1707

From the Union of the Parliaments until the first Reform Act: 1707 - 1832

From the first Reform Act until the enfranchisement of women: 1832 - 1918

From the enfranchisement of women until the Labour landslide: 1918 - 1945

From the Labour landslide until Hamilton: 1945 - 1967

The Devolution years 1967 - 1979

Eighteen wasted years 1979 - 1997

A devolved Scottish Parliament? 1997 - 2003

A second term for Labour 2003 - 2007

"A New Time!" 2007 -

Future events

Documents and Geneologies

The Declaration of Arbroath 1320

Scottish Monarchs and alternative Royal lines