The Royal Society of Edinburgh

Enlightening the Constitutional Debate

A series of ten events running from March 2013 to February 2014 to Enlighten the Constitutional Debate in advance of the forthcoming referendum on Scotland’s future relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom, organised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the British Academy.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh Scotland's National Academy

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland's National Academy. Its mission is to advance learning and useful knowledge and by doing so it supports the cultural, economic and social well-being of Scotland and its people. It is not influenced by causes promoted by others and is an important source of independent expertise across the whole range of intellectual, business and public life in Scotland.

In delivering its activities the RSE draws upon the strengths and multidisciplinary expertise of over 1500 peer-elected Fellows, based in Scotland and beyond.

Next Events

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Lochaber: The Last Bandit Country or Jacobite Heartland?

21 May 2013

In the eyes of central government, both Scottish and British, the Lochaber district was regarded as the epicentre of Highland disorder and disloyalty from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Allan I MacInnes, Professor of Early Modern History, University of Strathclyde asks how justified was this reputation?

English and Scots: Using the Past to Explain the Present

23 May 2013

The character and distribution of the languages of present-day Britain derive from their complex histories. Professor Jeremy Smith will explore how present-day speech and writing can be used to find out how people spoke in the past, and an attempt will be made, using evidence such as place-names, to link language development to geography as well as history.

Enlightening the Constitutional Debate