On 13 December 2007, A Union for a' that project launched their new multimedia resource for schools at the ScottishParliament. The DVD looks at the Act of Union in 1707 and the history of Scottish government.

This new resource, aimed at upper primary and secondary school pupils, is the culmination of a collaborative education project for Scottish schools, funded by the Scottish Government, marking the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments in 1707.

At the launch John Mulgrew, Chairman of Learning and Teaching Scotland, said

'There is a renewed appetite and enthusiasm for promoting and supporting all aspects of Scottish culture, arts, history and heritage. We have a responsibility - a duty even - to ensure that our young people are given the best possible opportunities to learn about, and from, their past and what has made our country today. This professional, systematic and innovative DVD does that and will be a huge success in our schools.'

Alison Diamond, A Union for a’ that Project Manager, said:

‘This DVD enables the Union of the Parliaments to be studied in the classroom using original documentary sources and illustrations provided by the national collections. We hope that it will enable pupils to understand this pivotal period in Scottish history and relate it to their lives today.’ The DVD also contains information, film and audio clips, and activities to support the teaching of history, political awareness, citizenship, debating, and art and design in innovative ways.

Project partners - the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the National Archives of Scotland, Historic Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Parliament, and the Law Society of Scotland – have enjoyed the opportunity of working together with teachers and pupils across Scotland to deliver workshops and create this new resource. We hope that you will find it of interest and practical value to support learning and teaching about this important aspect of Scotland’s history.

Free copies were distributed by Learning and Teaching Scotland to all primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland in December 2007. For further information please contact our Education Officer, National Archives of Scotland, General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY on tel: 0131 535 1340 or email: education@nas.gov.uk.