Famine in Scotland - the 'Ill Years' of the 1690s

Karen Cullen

This book is the first full study of the climatic and economic origins of the last national famine to occur in Scotland, one of the four disasters of the 1690s that contributed to the economic arguments in favor of the 1707 Union of the Parliaments. The book also considers the extent of the subsequent crisis and what demographic, economic, and social impact the famine had on the Scottish population. Despite the critical importance of this crisis, the topic has been largely neglected by historians—even underplayed. This analysis uniquely examines the causes, course, characteristics, and consequences of the famine, offering new perspective on the agricultural, climatic, economic, social, and demographic aspects of the event. With detailed statistical and qualitative analyses, the study identifies the regional factors that defined the famine, its impact on the population, and the interconnected causes of this traumatic event.

Related Subjects

• European History

About the Author

Karen Cullen is lecturer in Scottish history and history program leader, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands.

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