BBC Scotland Brings History To Life

Scotland's history will be brought to life in a new multi-platform project by BBC Scotland.
Spearheading the project is a new landmark 10-part television series, 'A History Of Scotland', which will start on BBC Scotland in November this year, with a screening on network BBC Two at a later date.
A History Of Scotland, co-produced with the Open University and shot in high definition, will use dramatic photography to capture the best of Scotland's varied and breath-taking landscapes, iconic landmarks, monuments and historic architecture, picking up on the richness of the country's heritage as well as its major characters and influences.
Presented by Neil Oliver, A History Of Scotland will be broadcast in two parts.
The first five episodes will transmit this winter, starting with the origins of Scotland and ending with the Unions of the Crowns in 1603.
The second part, which will go out late next year, takes the story from the Covenanting movement through the Treaty of the Union right up to devolution.
BBC Scotland Controller Ken MacQuarrie said: "Scotland's History is one of our most ambitious projects ever. It is mapping the history of Scotland in a way that is entirely relevant to modern Scots and Scotland, and will provide an ongoing legacy to entertain and inform the Scots of the future.
Dr Ian Donnachie, Reader in History at The Open University in Scotland, and academic advisor for the series, says: "This is a highly significant development as it comes at a time when Scottish public history has a higher profile than ever before."
Under the umbrella of the broader Scotland's History project, a new website will phase in alongside the series, building up to an interactive timeline of the country's past as a home for BBC Scotland's new and archive history content, providing on-demand access to rich video, audio and interactive elements.
(DS/JM)