March 30

1296 – Sack of Berwick-upon-Tweed

On March 30, 1296, King Edward I of England launched a brutal assault on the Scottish town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. As part of his campaign to subjugate Scotland during the Wars of Independence, Edward’s forces stormed the town’s walls and unleashed a massacre. Contemporary chroniclers estimate that as many as 8,000 to 12,000 people—virtually the entire population—were slaughtered, including civilians seeking sanctuary in churches. The violence shocked even those in Edward’s court and remains one of the darkest moments in Anglo-Scottish history.

1406 – Capture of James I of Scotland

On March 30, 1406, the young heir to the Scottish throne, James Stewart, later James I of Scotland, was captured by English forces off the coast of Yorkshire. He was attempting to flee to France for his safety during a time of political instability, but was seized near Flamborough Head by English pirates who handed him over to King Henry IV of England. James was held in captivity for 18 years, during which time he received a comprehensive education at the English court, which would later influence his reign following his release in 1424.

1824 – Launch of HMS Unicorn

The Royal Navy launched HMS Unicorn on March 30, 1824, at the Chatham Royal Dockyards. Designed as a 46-gun frigate, she was never fully rigged for sea duty and instead served as a hulk and depot ship. Today, HMS Unicorn is one of the world’s oldest surviving ships and a rare example of early 19th-century warship design. Permanently moored in Dundee, she now serves as a museum ship and a unique reminder of Scotland’s maritime heritage.

1950 – Birth of Robbie Coltrane

Born on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Robbie Coltrane became one of Scotland’s most beloved actors and comedians. Renowned for his versatility, he gained widespread acclaim for his role as criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald in the British TV drama Cracker, earning three BAFTA awards. He reached a new generation of fans with his portrayal of the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter film series. Coltrane was a passionate advocate for Scottish arts and culture until his death in 2022.

1973 – Death of Sir Douglas Douglas-Hamilton

On March 30, 1973, Sir Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton and 11th Duke of Brandon, died at the age of 71. A pioneering aviator and politician, he made history in 1933 as one of the first to fly over Mount Everest. During World War II, he gained unexpected notoriety when Rudolf Hess, Deputy Führer of Nazi Germany, parachuted into Scotland in 1941, apparently seeking to negotiate peace with him. The incident remains one of the war’s enduring mysteries. Hamilton later served as Lord Steward of the Royal Household and was a committed public servant.