This is an archive of the NMS website

The Union

Enter a new phase of British history as Scotland and England are united under one Parliament.

What were the consequences for Scotland of the Act of Union of 1707? This is a question that we're still asking today.

Passing the treaty

The display begins by looking at the succession to the crowns and the setting up of a British parliament (Case 1).

Each clause of the treaty was fiercely debated in the Scottish parliament, and the Scottish people also had strong views, expressed in the streets and in the press and pamphlets. Some of the key players in the debate are presented on the panel to your right as you go in.

Succession to the throne

A main concern of the Act was to secure the throne for the Protestant faith, which excluded the exiled Catholic Stewarts and identified the Electress of Hanover as heir.

Trade and the economy

The Act also gave Scotland access to markets in England and her colonies overseas. Find out about trade and the economy through the objects in Case 2.