Although the dominant political ideology in Scotland between 1707 and the present, unionism has suffered serious neglect. One of the most distinguished Scottish historians of our time looks afresh at this central theme in Britain's history, politics and law, and traces the history of Scottish unionist ideas from the early sixteenth century to the present day. Colin Kidd demonstrates that unionism had impeccably indigenous origins long predating the Union of 1707, and that it emerged in reaction to the English vision of Britain as an empire. Far from being the antithesis of nationalism, modern Scottish unionism has largely occupied a middle ground between the extremes of assimilation to England or separation from it. At a time when the future of the Scottish union is under scrutiny as never before, its history demands Colin Kidd's lucid and cogent examination, which will doubtless generate major debate, both within Scotland and beyond.

Reviews & endorsements

“As Mr. Kidd reveals in his subtle and scholarly book, unionism and nationalism are not opposites. For most of modern times, they have been contented bedmates….[The] virtue of this book is that it provides a new way of viewing 500 years of Scottish history, debunking many misconceptions and at the same time rescuing the apparently arid subject of unionism from an undeserved quondamnation (the coinage is Mr. Kidd’s). And now that Scotland has its own parliament, run by Nationalists who seek to scrap the union, the topic is of some moment.”
The Economist

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Product details

• Date Published: December 2008
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521706803
• length: 322 pages

• dimensions: 216 x 138 x 16 mm
• weight: 0.45kg
• availability: Available