April 11
1512 – Birth of King James V at Linlithgow Palace
James V, the only surviving legitimate son of James IV and Margaret Tudor, was born at Linlithgow Palace. He became king at just 17 months old following his father’s death at the Battle of Flodden. His reign was marked by tensions with England and efforts to maintain the independence of the Scottish Church. He fathered Mary, Queen of Scots, and died shortly after her birth in 1542.
1700 – Abandonment of the Darien Scheme in Panama
The last group of Scottish colonists abandoned the Darien colony on the Isthmus of Panama after months of suffering from tropical disease, starvation, and hostility from the Spanish. The Darien Scheme had been a national effort to establish a Scottish trading empire but ended in disaster, financially crippling Scotland and contributing to the political push toward union with England.
1827 – Birth of James Augustus Grant
Born in Nairn, Grant joined the British Army and became an explorer, most famous for his 1860 expedition with John Hanning Speke to locate the source of the Nile. Their journey through eastern Africa was grueling and transformative, playing a key role in mapping the Great Lakes region and confirming Lake Victoria as the Nile’s source.
1839 – Death of John Galt
John Galt, a novelist, entrepreneur, and political commentator, died in Greenock. Known for his novels set in rural Scotland, such as Annals of the Parish and The Provost, Galt was also the founder of the city of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. He is often credited as the first political novelist in the English language.
1951 – The Stone of Scone Found at Arbroath Abbey
Following its dramatic removal from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1950 by Scottish students, the Stone of Scone was discovered on this day at the altar of Arbroath Abbey. The gesture was deeply symbolic, linking to the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, and was intended to stir nationalist sentiment. The stone was returned to London soon after but was later permanently relocated to Scotland in 1996.
1973 – Death of Georgina MacKinnon
Georgina MacKinnon passed away on this day, having played a pivotal role in marketing and internationalizing Drambuie, the iconic Scottish whisky liqueur. As chairwoman of the company, she helped secure its reputation as a luxurious product and symbol of Scottish tradition.
1999 – Scotland Wins Final Five Nations Championship
In one of the most dramatic finishes in the tournament’s history, Scotland won the Five Nations Championship on points difference after England lost to Wales. It was Scotland’s final title before the competition became the Six Nations with the addition of Italy in 2000.
1689 – William III and Mary II Crowned Joint Monarchs
William and Mary were crowned joint rulers of England, Scotland, and Ireland following the Glorious Revolution. Scotland’s Convention of Estates had already accepted them as monarchs, deposing James VII for his perceived Catholic absolutism. Their rule marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy and greater parliamentary power in Scotland.
1918 – Sinking of SS Lake Moor off the Scottish Coast
The American cargo ship SS Lake Moor was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-73 near the coast of Scotland. The vessel was transporting cargo for the war effort during World War I. This incident marked the first Naval Overseas Transportation Service vessel lost to enemy action.
1959 – Billy Wright Earns 100th Cap vs Scotland
Billy Wright made football history as the first player to earn 100 international caps. His milestone came in a match against Scotland at Wembley, which England narrowly won 1-0. The achievement underscored the long and storied rivalry between the two nations in the world’s oldest international football fixture.