The old adage that England ruled the greatest empire the world has ever seen but the Scots actually ran it has been generally confirmed by recent research and publication. The lecture focused on the question of what the British Empire did for Scotland and whether in the long run the imperial project was of benefit to the Scottish people and nation. The lecture was recorded on Tuesday 13 February 2007 in McEwan Hall Edinburgh.

Only in the second half of the twentieth century did Scottish nationalism become a major political force. This lecture focused on that period, examining the development and impact of Nationalism in Scotland and the likely implications for the future of the Union. This lecture was recorded on Tuesday 13 March 2007 in McEwan Hall Edinburgh.

A lively debate to celebrate the launch of the book “Scotland and the Union 1707 - 2007”, edited by Professor Tom Devine. Building on the success of last year's acclaimed lecture series, which commemorated the tercentenary of the Act of Union and attracted audiences in excess of 4000. This lecture was recorded on Wednesday 14 May 2008 at George Square Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh.

A lively, provocative and fascinating exploration of the reasons for the Union of 1707 involving the pre-eminent figures in the current historiography of the Union. The Speakers Dr Karin Bowie, University of Glasgow Prof Allan Macinnes, University of Aberdeen Dr Alex Murdoch, University of Edinburgh Prof Chris Whatley, University of Dundee Chair: Prof Christopher Smout, Historiographer Royal in Scotland The lecture was recorded on Wednesday 10 January 2007 at McEwan Hall, Edinburgh.