ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


The best bit about writing a book is gathering together the names you want to remember when all is said and done. With a book called A History of Scotland it is especially satisfying - counting all the people who helped, into something that sounds rather grand.


Michael Dover at Weidenfeld and Nicolson was patient, encouraging and wise throughout the process - just his tone of voice on the phone was enough to instil calm when deadlines loomed large. Huge thanks also to Linden Lawson: her careful and constructive copy-editing made all the difference. I am grateful to Rosie Anderson, my proof-reader, Kate Inskip, my indexer, and Caroline Hotblack and John Morrice for picture research. To the whole team at Weidenfeld and Nicolson, in fact, many thanks.


Neil MacDonald and Richard Downes at BBC Scotland deserve a special delivery of gratitude for the idea of the ‘Scotland’s History’ project - along with Audrey Baird, Fiona Crawford, Sandra Breslin and the rest of the dedicated production team. To all, my sincere thanks, especially to Jon Morrice, Stevie Whiteford, Katie Holman, Julia Jamieson and Careen Murray.


This book would have been well nigh impossible without the help and advice of the directors behind the various episodes: Sarah Barclay, Clara Glynn, Bill MacLeod, Jane McWilliams, Colin Murray, Tim Niel and Andrew Thompson. Without them I would hardly have known where to start and my heartfelt thanks are owed to all.


Neville Kidd directed the photography on every programme in the series, with the help of Francis MacNeil. Douglas Kerr looked after all of the sound with the utmost care. I can only speak for myself, of course, but for me the filming of the series was just a pleasure.


Lovely Eugenie Furniss at William Morris Endeavour Entertainment


takes scrupulous care of me, as does the equally special Sophie Laurimore. Love to both as always.


But, for all that, no one is more deserving of my gratitude than Trudi, who takes care of absolutely everything that matters while I either swan about the countryside being well looked after or hide in the study at home moaning about supposedly impossible deadlines. Really, it is all down to her and I could never thank her enough.


As always, any and all mistakes in this work are mine and mine alone.