Scotland and culture

 William Wallace (Braveheart)   (1272 - 1305)

 Wallace is a national hero.
 He was one of the main leaders during the First War of 
 Scottish Independence.

 In 1297, he defeated the English forces at Stirling Bridge.

 Taken prisoner, he was executed in London in a barbarous manner.

  The Battle of Stirling Bridge

 Robert Bruce (1274 - 1329)

 He was crowned King in 1306. In 1307 he began a campaign to drive
 the English out of Scotland.
 Bruce is considered one of Scotland's greatest kings, as well as one
 of the most famous warriors of his generation.  

 The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was an especially important
 Scottish victory.

 In 1328, a treaty recognized the independence of Scotland.
 (After Bruce's death, the 2nd War of independence took place between 
 1332 and1357.

 James VI (1566 - 1625) 

 He became King of Scotland at the age of thirteen months.
 In 1603, he succeeded Elizabeth I who died leaving no heir.
 He then became King of England as James I .
 He was the first king to rule over Scotland and England.

 In 1605, he escaped the Gunpowder Plot organized by a group of Catholics.

 However the kingdoms of England and Scotland were individual sovereign states.
 Both countries would remain separate for another 104 years.

 They wanted to blow up the House of Lords.

 Flag of the kingdom of Great Britain

(used until 1801 when the UK was created)

  During the following years, England and Scotland had one monarch but two parliaments
  and two flags.

  In 1707, the Act of Union was signed, the Scottish parliament was dissolved.
  England and Scotland became one country.

  The red cross of St. George, combined with the blue background of  the
  Scottish flag, gave the flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

 Alexander Graham Bell
 (1847 - 1922)

Sean Connery
(1930 - )

 Arthur Conan Doyle
(1859 - 1930)

Robert Louis Stevenson 
(1850 - 1894)

Alexander Fleming
(1881 - 1955)  

James Clerk Maxwell
(1831 - 1879)