A collection of essays, reviews, speeches and articles on Scotland and Scottish cultural life. It covers the period when the nation made rapid steps towards reclaiming control of political, social and cultural affairs while at the same time marking the 300th Anniversary of the union of 1707.

Paul H Scott's Fifth collection of essays, reviews, speeches and articles on Scotland and Scottish Cultural life. It covers the recent period when the nation made rapid steps towards reclaiming control of political, social and cultural affairs while at the same time marking the 300th Anniversary of the union of 1707. As one of the country's leading writers and political campaigners Paul Scott is well placed to explain the context of these developments and here he articulates a vision of Scotland, fully independent, taking its rightful place among the community of nations.

1. The Scottish Paradox
1.1 The Scottish Paradox
1.2 Review of Arthur Herman's the Scottish Enlightenment2. Culture Comes First
2.1 Culture Comes First
2.2 Review of R. Grahams The Great Infidel:A Life of David Hume
2.3 Review of Alexander Broadie's The Scottish Enlightenment
2.4 Boswell and Johnston in hte Hebrides
2.5 On reading Susan Ferrier
2.6 Cockburn's Memorials of His Time
2.7 Review of Claire Herman's R L Stevenson, A Biography
2.8 The Usual round of the other Edinburgh Boys
2.9 The Saltire Book Awards: How They Began
2.10 David Daiches and Scotland
2.11 Scots:The First Victim of the 'Killer Language'
2.12 Review of David Robb's Life of Alexander Scott
2.13 The Response of Scottis Poets to Scotland
2.14 Scots: A National Treasure
2.15 Culture is Fundamental
2.16 Scottish Broadcasting
3. Present Priorities
3.1 The Elusive Nation: Scotland in the Edinburgh Festival
3.2 Why Edinburgh needs a comprehensive Wrter's Museum
3.3 Is this the Scottish National Theatre we Campaigned for?
3.4 A New Gallery of Scotland4. 1603 and 1707
4.1 Review of Leanda do Lisle's After Elizabeth
4.2 Andrew Fletcher in the Scottish Parliament, 1703-07
4.3 The 'almost miraculous Passage' of the Union of 17075. Scotland Needs Independence
5.1 The Age of Liberation
5.2 Montenegro Today:Scotland Tomorrow
5.3 England, A Difficult Neighbour
5.4 Nationalism: The Keystone of Liberal Democracy
5.5 England and Scotland: A New Relationship
5.6 Small is Better6. Envoie
6.1 A Toast to Scotland