The history of Scotland is all around you in Edinburgh, visibly, tangibly - even audibly every day when the one o'clock gun is fired from the battlements of the Castle. The Department was the first of its kind, growing up after a chair of Scottish history was founded in 1901. It teaches an Honours Degree in Scottish Historical Studies, and its classes are open to those taking General degrees, Honours degrees in other subjects, and a range of Joint Honours degrees, which we share with Celtic, the School of Scottish Studies, History, Latin and Scottish Literature. The Honours classes are smaller, ranging between 6 and 15. The Department has been awarded high ratings in research, and an 'Excellent' for its teaching - one of only two departments in Scotland to achieve this award.
Scottish History is very much a research centre as well as a teaching department.
Over forty research degrees have been completed within it during the past ten years, on topics ranging from the 6th century to the 20th. Currently, there are 15 postgraduates studying for research degrees. The result is a lively atmosphere, with its teaching benefiting from being so close to a variety of on-going research. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan Departments in the University, with many visiting students from the United States, Japan and all parts of Western Europe taking its courses as well as undergraduates from all parts of Scotland and elsewhere in Great Britain. The University possesses an excellent library with extremely good stocks in most aspects of Scottish history.