The Union of 1707: How Scotland Lost Its Parliament

In 1707, Scotland's Parliament voted itself out of existence after centuries of independence. This episode explores the political maneuvering, economic desperation, and outright bribery that led to the Act of Union with England. Lucas and Luna break down the roles of key figures like the Duke of Queensberry, John Dalrymple, and the Squadrone Volante, the faction of Scottish MPs whose votes were swayed by English gold. They discuss the Treaty of Union's terms, including the 'Equivalent' payment to cover Scotland's debt from the Darien Scheme, and the immediate aftermath: riots in Edinburgh, the loss of the Scottish Privy Council, and the preservation of Scots law. The episode also touches on the long-term cultural consequences, from the Jacobite risings sparked by resentment to the eventual rise of the Scottish Enlightenment within the new British state. A sober look at a controversial deal that reshaped Scotland's identity. #ActOfUnion #TreatyOfUnion #ScottishParliament #DukeOfQueensberry #JohnDalrymple #SquadroneVolante #DarienScheme #Equivalent #Jacobites #ScottishHistory #1707 #Edinburgh #Westminster #BritishIdentity #ScottishEnlightenment #History #FexingoHistory #Scotland Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo