Scottish History Timeline (Until the 13th Century)

Note that, within a single year, events are not necessarily presented in chronological order.

10500 BC Loch Lomond Readvance
5000 BC Cnoc Freiceadain (Highland) Built
5000 BC Leven Bronze Age Cemetery (Fife) Opened
4500 BC Callanish Standing Stones (Western Isles) Erected
4000 BC Balfarg Henge (Fife) Built
3700 BC Knap of Howar (Orkney) Built
3600 BC Cleaven Dyke (Perth and Kinross) Built
3500 BC Balfarg Riding School Henge (Fife) Built
3500 BC Camster Cairns (Highland) Built
3500 BC Drumtroddan (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
3500 BC Midhowe (Orkney) Built
3500 BC Nine Stanes Stone Circle (Aberdeenshire) Built
3450 BC Unstan (Orkney) Built
3350 BC Knowe of Yarso (Orkney) Erected
3200 BC Brodgar, Ness of (Orkney) Built
3100 BC Skara Brae (Orkney) Built
3000 BC Cairnholy (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
3000 BC Clava Chambered Cairns (Highland) Built
3000 BC Dwarfie Stane (Orkney) Built
3000 BC Stones of Stenness (Orkney) Built
3000 BC The Cairn of Get (Highland) Built
3000 BC The Caiy Stane (City of Edinburgh) Erected
3000 BC The Tomb of the Eagles (Orkney) Built
2800 BC Balbirnie Stone Circle (Fife) Built
2700 BC Maes Howe (Orkney) Built
2600 BC Scord of Brouster (Shetland) Built
2500 BC Camster Cairns (Highland) Abandoned
2200 BC Dun an Sticer (Western Isles) Built
2000 BC Dunchraigaig Cairn (Argyll and Bute) Built
2000 BC Easter Pitcorthie Standing Stone (Fife) Built
2000 BC Finn's People (Western Isles) Built
2000 BC Jarlshof (Shetland) Built
2000 BC Kinnell Stone Circle (Stirling) Built
2000 BC Laggangairn Standing Stones (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
2000 BC Memsie Cairn (Aberdeenshire) Built
2000 BC Tuilyies Standing Stones (Fife) Erected
1800 BC Balfarg Henge (Fife) Abandoned
1800 BC Balfarg Riding School Henge (Fife) Abandoned
1800 BC Kintraw Standing Stone (Argyll and Bute) Built
1500 BC The Ring of Brodgar (Orkney) Erected
1055 BC Cultoon Stone Circle (Argyll and Bute) Built
1000 BC Balbirnie Stone Circle (Fife) Abandoned
1000 BC Cladh Hallan Bronze Age Settlement (Western Isles) Built
1000 BC Druids' Stone (Argyll and Bute) Built
1000 BC High Pasture Cave (Highland) Built
1000 BC Mither Tap (Aberdeenshire) Built
700 BC Clickimin Broch (Shetland) Built
500 BC Castlelaw Hill Fort (Midlothian) Built
500 BC Craigmarloch (Inverclyde) Built
500 BC Tappoch Broch (Falkirk) Built
400 BC Cladh Hallan Bronze Age Settlement (Western Isles) Abandoned
400 BC North Platt Hill (City of Edinburgh) Built
275 BC High Pasture Cave (Highland) Abandoned
200 BC Dun Beag Broch (Highland) Built
200 BC Dunagoil (Argyll and Bute) Built
100 BC Carloway Broch (Western Isles) Built
100 BC Dun Bhuirg (Argyll and Bute) Built
100 BC Kemp's Walk (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
60 BC Rispain Camp (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1st C. Birrens (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1st C. Broch of West Burrafirth (Shetland) Built
1st C. Castle Greg (West Lothian) Built
1st C. Doon Castle (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1st C. Gallowflat Mound (South Lanarkshire) Built
0 Carn Liath (Highland) Built
c.5 Saint Andrew (St. Andrew) born - Fisherman and disciple of Jesus Christ
37 Gnaeus Julius Agricola born - Roman statesman and soldier
c.50 Saint Andrew (St. Andrew) died - Fisherman and disciple of Jesus Christ
79 Romans Invade Scotland
80 Ardoch Roman Camp (Perth and Kinross) Built
80 Trimontium Fort (Scottish Borders) Built
c.83 Battle of Mons Graupius
93 Gnaeus Julius Agricola died - Roman statesman and soldier
2nd C. Ardestie Earth House (Angus) Built
2nd C. Barns of Airlie Earth House (Angus) Built
2nd C. Carlungie Earth House (Angus) Built
2nd C. Raeburnfoot (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
2nd C. Tealing Earth House (Angus) Built
100 Dunagoil (Argyll and Bute) Abandoned
c.142 Bothwellhaugh Roman Bath House (North Lanarkshire) Built
c.142 Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort (North Lanarkshire) Built
142 Rough Castle Fort (Falkirk) Built
142 The Roman Bath House (East Dunbartonshire) Built
143 Kinneil Fortlet (Falkirk) Built
143 The Antonine Wall (East Dunbartonshire) Erected
143 Watling Lodge (Falkirk) Built
c.150 Tappoch Broch (Falkirk) Abandoned
150 Edin's Hall (Scottish Borders) Built
c.162 Bothwellhaugh Roman Bath House (North Lanarkshire) Abandoned
c.162 Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort (North Lanarkshire) Abandoned
165 The Roman Bath House (East Dunbartonshire) Abandoned
185 Trimontium Fort (Scottish Borders) Abandoned
190 Normandykes Roman Camp (Aberdeen City) Built
200 Ardoch Roman Camp (Perth and Kinross) Abandoned
220 Normandykes Roman Camp (Aberdeen City) Abandoned
4th C. Saint Rule (St. Rule or St. Regulus) born - The missionary who brought the relics of St
4th C. Saint Triduana (St. Triduana) born - Triduana is said to have accompanied St
c.360 Saint Ninian (St. Ninian) born - The first known Christian missionary in Scotland
5th C. Kirkmadrine Stones (Dumfries and Galloway) Erected
5th C. Mote of Mark (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
5th C. Saint Triduana (St. Triduana) died - Triduana is said to have accompanied St
400 Carn Liath (Highland) Abandoned
400 Scord of Brouster (Shetland) Abandoned
c.410 Saint Patrick (St. Patrick) born - The Patron Saint of Ireland
432 Saint Ninian (St. Ninian) died - The first known Christian missionary in Scotland
c.440 Saint Ternan (St. Ternan) born - Missionary
c.450 Saint Patrick (St. Patrick) died - The Patron Saint of Ireland
c.460 Saint Kessog (St. Kessog) born - Irish missionary
6th C. Clickimin Broch (Shetland) Abandoned
6th C. Dunadd Fort (Argyll and Bute) Built
6th C. Saint Cathan (St Cathan, St Cattan, St. Catán) born - An Irish monk who was the son of a King of Dalriada
6th C. Saint Drostan (St. Drostan) born - Abbot and evangelist, who brought Christianity to the NE of Scotland
6th C. Saint Machar (St Machar, St Mochumma, St Mochuemna, St Macharius) born - Irish missionary, credited with founding Aberdeen
6th C. Saint Modan (St. Modan) born - The son of an Irish chieftain, Modan was a contemporary of St
6th C. Saint Ternan (St. Ternan) died - Missionary
6th C. St Mahew's Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
500 Cat Stane (City of Edinburgh) Erected
518 Saint Kentigern (St. Kentigern or St. Mungo) born - The Apostle of Cumbria and Founder of Glasgow
c.520 Saint Moluag (St. Moluag) born - An early Christian missionary to Scotland
520 Saint Kessog (St. Kessog) died - Irish missionary
521 Saint Columba (St. Columba or Saint Colum Cille) born - Irish missionary
c.563 Saint Oran (St Oran, St Odran) died - Irish missionary
c.565 Saint Mirrin (Saint Mirren; Saint Mirin; St Mirrin) born - An Irish monk and missionary
590 Saint Blane (St. Blane, St. Blaan) died - Celtic missionary
592 Saint Moluag (St. Moluag) died - An early Christian missionary to Scotland
597 Saint Columba (St. Columba or Saint Colum Cille) died - Irish missionary
c.600 Saint Fittick (St Fotin; St Fiacre; St Futach; St Fittick) born - St
c.600 Yarrow Stone (Scottish Borders) Erected
7th C. Dunachton Symbol Stone (Highland) Built
7th C. King's Seat (Perth and Kinross) Built
7th C. Ogam Stone (Argyll and Bute) Built
7th C. Saint Drostan (St. Drostan) died - Abbot and evangelist, who brought Christianity to the NE of Scotland
7th C. Saint Winning (St. Winning or St. Winnin) born - Missionary
7th C. St Patrick's Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
600 Clach Chairidh (Highland) Built
600 North Platt Hill (City of Edinburgh) Abandoned
613 Saint Kentigern (St. Kentigern or St. Mungo) died - The Apostle of Cumbria and Founder of Glasgow
c.620 Saint Mirrin (Saint Mirren; Saint Mirin; St Mirrin) died - An Irish monk and missionary
c.625 Saint Adamnan (St. Adamnan) born - An Irish monk
c.635 Saint Cuthbert (St. Cuthbert) born - Celtic monk and Bishop of Holy Island
642 Saint Maelrubha (St. Maelrubha, St. Máel Ruba) born - An Irish monk, who brought Christianity to the North West Highlands
651 Saint Aidan (St. Aidan) died - Celtic monk
661 Saint Boswell (St. Boswell, St. Boisil, St. Bosiel) died - St
661 Saint Finan (St. Finan or St. Finnan) died - Church leader
670 Saint Fittick (St Fotin; St Fiacre; St Futach; St Fittick) died - St
685 Battle of Nechtanesmere
687 Saint Cuthbert (St. Cuthbert) died - Celtic monk and Bishop of Holy Island
c.700 Saint Baldred (St Baldred, St. Balthere) born - Evangelist and hermit
8th C. Dunaverty Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
8th C. Eassie Sculptured Stone (Angus) Erected
8th C. High Crosses (Argyll and Bute) Erected
8th C. Saint Winning (St. Winning or St. Winnin) died - Missionary
700 Carloway Broch (Western Isles) Abandoned
704 Saint Adamnan (St. Adamnan) died - An Irish monk
722 Saint Maelrubha (St. Maelrubha, St. Máel Ruba) died - An Irish monk, who brought Christianity to the North West Highlands
734 Saint Kentigerna (St. Kentigerna or St. Caintigern) died - Hermit
757 Saint Baldred (St Baldred, St. Balthere) died - Evangelist and hermit
c.777 Saint Fillan (St. Fillan) died - St Fillan was born in Ireland, the son of Feriach and St
9th C. Dunvegan Castle (Highland) Built
9th C. Kildalton Chapel and Crosses (Argyll and Bute) Built
9th C. King's Seat (Perth and Kinross) Abandoned
9th C. Kinord Cross (Aberdeenshire) Erected
9th C. Saint Inan (St. Inan. St. Evan) born - Monk and preacher
9th C. The Maiden Stone (Aberdeenshire) Built
9th C. The Rodney Stone (Moray) Erected
800 Dunfallandy Stone (Perth and Kinross) Erected
800 Hilton of Cadboll Pictish Cross-slab (Highland) Erected
800 Knocknagael Boar Stone (Highland) Erected
c.810 King Kenneth I (Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots) born - Scottish monarch
c.815 Battle of Athelstaneford
858 King Kenneth I (Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots) died - Scottish monarch
10th C. Kilmorie Cross (Dumfries and Galloway) Erected
10th C. Nith Bridge Cross (Dumfries and Galloway) Erected
932 King Kenneth II born - Scottish monarch
c.954 King Malcolm I died - Scottish monarch
c.954 King Malcolm II born - Scottish monarch
c. 966 King Kenneth III born - Scottish monarch
995 King Kenneth II died - Scottish monarch
11th C. Coulter Motte Hill (South Lanarkshire) Built
11th C. Macduff's Castle (Fife) Built
11th C. Malcolm Canmore's Tower (Fife) Built
c.1000 Saint Duthus (St Duthus or St Duthac) born - Born in Tain, for which he remains the Patron Saint
1000 Mither Tap (Aberdeenshire) Abandoned
1005 Macbeth (Mormaer of Moray) born - The last of Scotland's Gaelic Kings
1005 Battle of Monzievaird
1005 King Kenneth III died - Scottish monarch
c.1010 King Duncan I born - Scottish monarch
c.1031 King Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore) born - Scottish monarch
c.1033 King Donald III (Donald Bane) born - Scottish monarch
1034 King Malcolm II died - Scottish monarch
1040 King Duncan I died - Scottish monarch
1045 Saint Margaret (St. Margaret; Queen Margaret) born - The Saintly Queen
1057 Macbeth (Mormaer of Moray) died - The last of Scotland's Gaelic Kings
c.1060 King Duncan II born - Scottish monarch
1065 Saint Duthus (St Duthus or St Duthac) died - Born in Tain, for which he remains the Patron Saint
c.1070 King Edmund born - The second son of Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret, Edmund and his uncle, King Donald III, deposed his elder half-brother, King Duncan II, after the death of their father in 1094 to share the throne, although it is not certain that Edmund was ever a king
1070 Dunfermline Abbey (Fife) Built
c.1074 King Edgar born - Scottish monarch
c.1077 King Alexander I born - Scottish monarch
c.1080 King David I born - Scottish monarch
1093 King Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore) died - Scottish monarch
1093 Saint Margaret (St. Margaret; Queen Margaret) died - The Saintly Queen
1094 King Duncan II died - Scottish monarch
c.1097 King Edmund died - The second son of Malcolm Canmore and Queen Margaret, Edmund and his uncle, King Donald III, deposed his elder half-brother, King Duncan II, after the death of their father in 1094 to share the throne, although it is not certain that Edmund was ever a king
1098 Rothesay Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
1099 King Donald III (Donald Bane) died - Scottish monarch
c.12th C. Hutton Mote (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
12th C. Castle Sween (Argyll and Bute) Built
12th C. Christ Church (Western Isles) Built
12th C. Craiglockhart Castle (City of Edinburgh) Built
12th C. Cruggleton Church (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
12th C. Dunblane Cathedral (Stirling) Built
12th C. Dunskeath Castle (Highland) Built
12th C. East Kilbride Old Parish Church (South Lanarkshire) Opened
12th C. Edinburgh Castle (City of Edinburgh) Built
12th C. Eilean Donan Castle (Highland) Built
12th C. Hawick Mote (Scottish Borders) Built
12th C. Kilbar Church (Western Isles) Built
12th C. Kilnaughton Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
12th C. Lund Kirk (Shetland) Built
12th C. Montrose Harbour (Angus) Built
12th C. Motte of Urr (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
12th C. Newbattle Abbey (Midlothian) Built
12th C. Old Wick, Castle of (Highland) Built
12th C. Seagate Castle (North Ayrshire) Built
12th C. Soutra Aisle (Midlothian) Built / Opened
12th C. St Fittick's Church (Aberdeen City) Built
12th C. St Machar's Cathedral (Aberdeen City) Built
12th C. St Margaret's Chapel (City of Edinburgh) Built
12th C. Torphichen Preceptory (West Lothian) Built
c.1100 Hugh de Morville born - High Constable of Scotland
1100 St Vigeans Church (Angus) Built
1107 King Edgar died - Scottish monarch
1107 Traquair House (Scottish Borders) Built
1118 Jedburgh Abbey (Scottish Borders) Built
1119 Rossend Castle (Fife) Built
1120 Kisimul Castle (Western Isles) Built
1120 St Giles Kirk (City of Edinburgh) Built
1124 Duddingston Kirk (City of Edinburgh) Built
1124 King Alexander I died - Scottish monarch
1128 Holyrood Abbey (City of Edinburgh) Built
1128 Kelso Abbey (Scottish Borders) Built
1136 Aberdeen Harbour (Aberdeen City) Built
1136 Melrose Abbey (Scottish Borders) Built
1137 St Magnus' Cathedral (Orkney) Built
1138 Jedburgh Abbey (Scottish Borders) Built
c.1140 Cross Kirk (Orkney) Built
c.1140 St Fillan's Church (Fife) Built
1141 King Malcolm IV (Malcolm the Maiden) born - Scottish monarch
1142 Dundrennan Abbey (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1143 King William I (William the Lion) born - Scottish monarch
c.1150 Cubbie Roo's Castle (Orkney) Built
c.1150 Kilwinning Abbey (North Ayrshire) Built
c.1150 St Oran's Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
c.1150 Town Lade (Perth and Kinross) Opened
1150 Dryburgh Abbey (Scottish Borders) Built
1150 Kellie Castle (Fife) Built
c.1153 Restenneth Priory (Angus) Built
1153 King David I died - Scottish monarch
1158 Nunraw (East Lothian) Built
1160 Saddell Abbey (Argyll and Bute) Built
1160 St Andrews Cathedral (Fife) Built
1162 Hugh de Morville died - High Constable of Scotland
1163 Paisley Abbey (Renfrewshire) Built
c.1164 Manuel Nunnery (Falkirk) Built
1165 King Malcolm IV (Malcolm the Maiden) died - Scottish monarch
1174 Cambuskenneth Abbey (Stirling) Built
1177 Walter Fitz Alan died - Norman noble and Hereditary High Steward of Scotland, whose line eventually became the Royal House of Stewart
1178 Arbroath Abbey (Angus) Built
1178 Lindores Abbey (Fife) Built
1178 St Martin's Church (East Lothian) Built
1190 Lindores Abbey (Fife) Built
1192 Glenluce Abbey (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1195 St Andrew's Old Parish Church (Scottish Borders) Built
1196 Battle of Clairdon (Clardon)
1197 Glasgow Cathedral (Glasgow City) Built
1198 King Alexander II born - Scottish monarch
13th C. Ardrossan Old Parish Church (North Ayrshire) Built
13th C. Aros Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Aros Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Ayr, Port of (South Ayrshire) Built
13th C. Bothwell Castle (South Lanarkshire) Built
13th C. Cadzow Castle (South Lanarkshire) Built
13th C. Castle Tioram (Highland) Built
13th C. Coeffin Castle (Stirling) Built
13th C. Cousland Castle (Midlothian) Built
13th C. Crossraguel Abbey (South Ayrshire) Built
13th C. Cruggleton Castle (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
13th C. Duart Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Dunstaffnage Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Duntrune Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Dunyvaig Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Elphinstone Tower (East Lothian) Built
13th C. Hermitage Chapel (Scottish Borders) Built
13th C. Hospitalfield House (Angus) Built
13th C. Hunterston Castle (North Ayrshire) Built
13th C. Kilchiaran Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. Kildrummy Castle (Aberdeenshire) Built
13th C. Loch Leven Castle (Perth and Kinross) Built
13th C. Morton Castle (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
13th C. Old Slains Castle (Aberdeenshire) Built
13th C. Prestonkirk Parish Church (East Lothian) Built
13th C. Rait Castle (Highland) Built
13th C. St Catan's Chapel (Argyll and Bute) Built
13th C. St Serf's Church (West Dunbartonshire) Built
13th C. Thomaston Castle (South Ayrshire) Built
13th C. Turnberry Castle (South Ayrshire) Built
c.1200 Cumbernauld Old Parish Church (North Lanarkshire) Built
c.1200 David de Bernham born - Statesman and clergyman
c.1200 Forse Castle (Highland) Built
c.1200 Iona Abbey (Argyll and Bute) Built
c.1200 Kildalton Chapel and Crosses (Argyll and Bute) Built
1200 Loch Doon Castle (East Ayrshire) Built
1200 St Andrews Castle (Fife) Built
1208 Moncreiffe Chapel (Perth and Kinross) Built
c.1209 Devorguilla Balliol (Devorgilla Balliol) born - Brought up in Galloway, she is best remembered as mother of John Balliol (1249 - 1313) and as the founder of Sweetheart Abbey
1214 Hume Castle (Scottish Borders) Built
1214 King William I (William the Lion) died - Scottish monarch
1223 Inchcolm Abbey (Fife) Built
1225 Dirleton Castle (East Lothian) Built
1225 Dornoch Cathedral (Highland) Built
c.1230 Beauly Priory (Highland) Built
c.1230 Logan House (Midlothian) Built
1230 Pluscarden Abbey (Moray) Built
1238 Inchmahome Priory (Stirling) Built
1239 King Edward I born - English monarch
1239 The High School of Dundee (Dundee City) Established
c.1240 Robert Wishart born - Bishop of Glasgow
1241 King Alexander III born - Scottish monarch
1242 St John's Kirk (Perth and Kinross) Built
1242 St Michael's Parish Church (West Lothian) Built
1243 Crail Parish Church (Fife) Built
1244 Elgin Cathedral (Moray) Built
1245 St Serf's Tower (Fife) Built
1248 Seton Collegiate Church (East Lothian) Built
c.1249 Cairnburgh Castle (Argyll and Bute) Built
1249 Inverness Harbour (Highland) Built
1249 King Alexander II died - Scottish monarch
1249 King John Balliol (Toom Tabard) born - Son of Devorguilla Balliol (c.1209-90) and father of Edward Balliol (c.1283 - 1364)
1250 Brodick Castle (North Ayrshire) Built
1250 Inverlochy Castle (Highland) Built
1253 David de Bernham died - Statesman and clergyman
c.1254 Sir Alexander Scrymgeour born - Loyalist
1258 Bishop Clement died - Bishop of Dunblane
1258 Dunblane Cathedral (Stirling) Built
1260 Dunkeld Cathedral (Perth and Kinross) Built
c.1261 Cross Kirk (Scottish Borders) Built
1263 Battle of Largs
c.1265 John Duns Scotus (The Subtle Doctor) born - Philosopher and theologian
1266 Treaty of Perth
1267 Maison Dieu Chapel (Angus) Built
1269 Blair Castle (Perth and Kinross) Built
1270 Caerlaverock Castle (Dumfries and Galloway) Built
1274 King Robert I (Robert the Bruce) born - Scottish monarch
1274 William Wallace born - Whether a freedom fighter or an outlaw, Wallace was a defender of Scottish independence, who has become a national hero
1275 Dunrobin Castle (Highland) Built
c.1278 Thomas Randolph (Earl of Moray) born - Regent and soldier
c.1283 King Edward Balliol born - Unsuccessful King
1283 Queen Margaret (Maid of Norway) born - Grand-daughter of King Alexander III and the last of the Canmore dynasty
1284 King Edward II born - English king who ruled Scotland for a time
c.1286 Sir James Douglas ('The Good') born - Freedom fighter
1286 King Alexander III died - Scottish monarch
1286 Wars of Independence
c.1290 Brig o' Balgownie (Aberdeen City) Opened
c.1290 Carmelite Friary (West Lothian) Built
1290 Devorguilla Balliol (Devorgilla Balliol) died - Brought up in Galloway, she is best remembered as mother of John Balliol (1249 - 1313) and as the founder of Sweetheart Abbey
1290 Queen Margaret (Maid of Norway) died - Grand-daughter of King Alexander III and the last of the Canmore dynasty
1296 Battle of Dunbar (I)
1296 England invades Scotland
1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge
1297 Yester Castle (East Lothian) Built
1298 Battle of Falkirk (I)
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