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The Best Episodes of A History of Scotland Season 1

Every episode of A History of Scotland Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of A History of Scotland Season 1!

Binge this in 5h 0m•Peaking at 8.6/10

Presented by Neil Oliver, A History of Scotland is a television series first broadcast in November 2008 on BBC One Scotland and later shown UK-wide on BBC Two during January 2009. The second series began on

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BBC One Scotland
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Seasons2

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    A History of Scotland Season 1 Episode 1 - The Last of the Free
    7.9/10(27 votes)

    #1 - The Last of the Free

    S1:E1

    At the dawn of the first millennia, there was no Scotland or England. In the first episode of this landmark series, Neil Oliver reveals the mystery of how the Gaelic Scottish Kingdom - Alba - was born, and why its role in one of the greatest battles ever fought on British soil defined the shape of Britain in the modern era.

    Director:Andrew Thompson
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. A History of Scotland Season 1 Episode 2 - The Hammers of the Scots
    8.1/10(23 votes)

    #2 - The Hammers of the Scots

    S1:E2

    Neil Oliver charts the 13th century story of the two ruthless men who helped transform the Gaelic kingdom of Alba into the Scotland we recognise today. While Alexander II forged Scotland in blood and violence, William Wallace's resistance to the nation-breaking King Edward I of England hammered national consciousness into the Scots.

    Director:Jane McWilliams
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. A History of Scotland Season 1 Episode 3 - Bishop Makes King
    8.6/10(24 votes)

    #3 - Bishop Makes King

    S1:E3

    Robert Bruce's 22-year struggle to secure the Scots' independence is one of the most important chapters in Scotland's story. Neil Oliver explores the crucial role the Scottish church played in promoting the cause of Robert Bruce, how they launched repeated propaganda campaigns, both at home and abroad, and how the famous 1320 Declaration of Arbroath ultimately persuaded the Pope to finally recognise Scotland as an independent nation.

    Director:Tim Niel
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. A History of Scotland Season 1 Episode 4 - Language is Power
    8.2/10(24 votes)

    #4 - Language is Power

    S1:E4

    At one time, Gaelic Scotland - the people and the language - was central to the collective identity of Scots. But as Neil Oliver reveals, Scotland's infamous Highland/Lowland divide was the result of a family struggle that divided the kingdom. This is the story of how the centralising policies of the Stewart royal family in the 15th century led to the Gaels being perceived as rebels and outsiders.

    Director:Bill MacLeod
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. A History of Scotland Season 1 Episode 5 - Project Britain
    8.5/10(21 votes)

    #5 - Project Britain

    S1:E5

    Neil Oliver describes how the ambitions of two of Scotland's Stuart monarchs were the driving force that united two ancient enemies, and set them on the road to the Great Britain we know today. While Mary Queen of Scots plotted to usurp Elizabeth I and seize the throne of England, her son James dreamt of a more radical future: a Protestant Great Britain.

    Director:Colin Murray
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Last of the Free" is the best rated episode of "A History of Scotland" season 1. It scored 7.9/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by Andrew Thompson and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/9/2008. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Hammers of the Scots".