What social, political and economic issues led to the Act of Union? What is the impact of these issues on Scotland today?

The Act of Union came into force on 1 May 1707. In 1997 a referendum on devolution produced a majority in favour of a separate Scottish Parliament. Elections took place in May 1999 and the new Parliament was officially opened on 1 July 1999.

Teachers are advised that some preliminary study of the Act of Union is required before attending this workshop.

Activities
Working in groups, pupils can address a selection of the following:

• Using primary and secondary sources of evidence, consider the arguments for and against the Act of Union and investigate the key issues behind its ratification.
• Using specific headings, compare and contrast the social, political and economic challenges of early 18th century Scotland with those facing the country today.
• In 2007, two sixth year pupils produced a short film, A Union for a’ that? to mark the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union. Discuss excerpts from the film and consider some of the questions raised.

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