A Thistle with Thorns

Don’t you love it, Lord Lovat?

In the second and concluding episode on Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, we find the clan chief restored to his title, but torn between his Jacobite heart and his Hanoverian head.  Will he survive the ‘45 or face a final gala performance on Tower Hill for his loyalty to Bonnie Prince Charlie?

The Old Fox - Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat

One of the most notorious figures in early 18th century Scotland, Lovat was a clan chief who had to fight for his land and title, an alleged rapist, a prisoner of Louis XIV, a Jacobite sympathiser and a Hanoverian double agent. In the first of two episodes we look at the early life of this remarkable character.

Christian Nationalism and the Act of Union 1707

In the early 18th century, both Scottish and English identities were shaped by their national church. So how did both nations reconcile their differences to become the Kingdom of Great Britain? Join Murdo and James as we discuss the a key element of the compromise which allowed for the creation of a new state!

John Ogilvie - Scotland’s Post Reformation Saint

Following Celtic’s league victory earlier this year, some fans descended on the Trongate area in Glasgow to ‘celebrate’. Writing about these events, Scottish Columnist, Kevin McKenna, mentioned St John Ogilvie, who was martyred at the Trongate on 10th March 1615. But who was St John Ogilvie? Why was he sentenced to death? Why is he recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church? And what does his tragic story of bravery tell us about Scotland’s relationship with religious pluralism?

Argyll’s Decline and Fall

In the second of our episodes on the life of Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyll, we look at how he tried to navigate the power struggles between King and Cromwell, how he crowned Charles II, and what led to his downfall.
Join Murdo and James for this exciting new chapter.

King Campbell: the unstoppable rise of Archibald, Marquis of Argyll

The young Lord Lorne, soon to be 8th Earl of Argyll, is a favourite of Charles 1st, but becomes leader of the rebellion against him. Join us for the first part of the story of one of the most significant, but divisive, figures in Scottish history.

Union of the Crowns: 1603

After a short election break, A Thistle With Thorns is back.
One of the defining questions in Scottish politics is this: where does power lie - Edinburgh, London, or a mix of both?
Many historians trace the roots of that debate to the Union of the Crowns in 1603. But what exactly was the Union of the Crowns? How did it come about? And how did it reshape Scotland’s politics, identity, and relationship with England?
Join Murdo and James as they explore one of the most consequential moments in Scottish history, and why it still matters today.

Scotland’s Turmoil 1500-1707, with Johnnie Gallacher

Murdo and James are joined by a special guest, archaeologist, historian & writer Johnnie Gallacher, who will be discussing his recent book: Scotland’s Turmoil 1500-1707.  It’s a take on the Early Modern era in Scottish history, with some fresh and interesting perspectives, and Johnnie explains how he approaches the period.

The Scottish Reformation Part 4: The Return of the Queen

Mary, Queen of Scots returns to Scotland to find her kingdom swept by Protestant fervour. Will she emulate her cousin Mary Tudor by turning back the clock to Catholicism?  Or has she met her match in John Knox?  Find out in our concluding episode on the Scottish Reformation.

The Scottish Reformation Part 3: Opportunity Knox

The Lords of the Congregation invite John Knox to return to Scotland from Geneva, and within days of his arrival he has set the country ablaze with Protestant fervour. But he faces a dangerous adversary in the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise, with her French army. Who will prevail, and at what cost?