The profile of Scottish history in education, politics and the media will come under the spotlight at a major debate in Aberdeen next week.
Four of Scotland鈥檚 most distinguished history scholars will take part in Telling the History of Scotland: Scottish History in the New Scotland, which promises to be an evening of lively discussion and debate at the King鈥檚 College Conference Centre, 黑料网, on Monday, October 25, at 7pm.
The event has been organised by the University鈥檚 new Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies (RIISS) and takes place at a time of vigorous debate concerning the teaching of Scottish history in Scottish schools. Scotland is the one country where the study of its past is not compulsory.
RIISS Director, Professor Tom Devine, who has recently launched his latest book, The Scottish Nation 1700-2000, tracing Scotland鈥檚 turbulent story over the past three centuries, said that as the first Scottish Parliament since 1707 meets, the Scots are reassessing their identity.
鈥淗istory is crucial to this reassessment. Scotland is among the most self-mythologising nations in Europe. Are we as a people historically illiterate and more interested in myth than reality?鈥� he said.
鈥淭his debate will tackle this question and many others concerning the relationship between the country鈥檚 past and its uncertain future.鈥�
The other speakers are Owen Dudley Edwards, University of Edinburgh; Richard Finlay, University of Strathclyde and Bruce Lenman, University of St Andrews. Leading Scottish journalist and broadcaster Colin Bell, a former Rector of Aberdeen, will chair the event.
Admission to the debate, which will be followed by a free wine reception, is free, though tickets should be obtained from the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies on (01224) 273683, or e-mail riiss@abdn.ac.uk