With the Independence referendum just two years away, the University of Glasgow is embarking on a landmark series of lectures that will analyse Scottish opinion – elite and popular - at significant points in the nation’s past. Vox Populi – the Voice of The Scottish People will also be serialised in eight major articles in the Scotsman.

 Dr Catriona Macdonald, reader in late Modern Scottish History and one of the organisers of the series said,  “We have eminent speakers from across the UK coming together to give their views on how various groups in Scottish society made their feelings known on topics or events that defined Scotland. These range from the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the Union of the Crowns in 1603, “wee referenda” on alcohol (and water) at a local level in the 20th century right up to the devolution debates in 1979 and 1997. We are also thrilled to have academics who will be considering how Scots and Scotland were viewed by the English in the 18th century and what impact Scots had on the birth of the United States of America. The talks are open to all, and will be summarised in the Scotsman newspaper.”

The first seminar takes place on Tuesday 25 September at 5.30pm in the Gannochy Room, Wolfson Medical Building when Professor Ted Cowan from the University of Glasgow and Professor Roger Mason of St Andrews University will debate The Declaration of Arbroath and its Legacy.

 Full details on the entire Vox Populi programme can be accessed via the website:

 http://www.gla.ac.uk/voxpopuli

You can read the first in the Vox Populi series in the Scotsman:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/declaration-triggers-a-clash-over-democratic-ideals-1-2543270

First published: 21 September 2012

<< September