Welcome to the last History Scotland of 2019, packed as usual with a wealth of history, heritage and archaeology from around the country and across the centuries. Our cover article Early Views of Scotland takes a wide-ranging look at how Scotland – and the Scots – have been viewed by the Greeks, Romans and others. We also explore the wearing of tartan in the years following the Act of Proscription and present the latest research on a notorious 17th-century bandit gang.
And from bandits to barracks, our Maryhill controversy article charts the protracted dispute over the construction of a Victorian barracks, showing that the debate over using private expertise in public building projects is nothing new. As we see so many times with modern-day issues and concerns, looking back into the past can provide both warnings and possible solutions.