Was Scotland Originally Part of England? Unraveling the History

A History of Conflict and Union

Well, the question of whether Scotland was originally part of England is a lot more complicated than it seems. For most people, it’s easy to think that Scotland has always been closely tied to England, especially since the two countries have shared such a long and intertwined history. But actually, Scotland was never “part” of England in the sense that one country was simply absorbed by the other. Instead, the relationship between Scotland and England has been marked by centuries of rivalry, alliances, wars, and political maneuvering.

Scotland’s Early Days

Honestly, when I first started learning about Scottish history, I always assumed it was just another part of England—mainly because of the way things are today with the United Kingdom. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize Scotland and England were once entirely separate kingdoms. Scotland, originally known as the Kingdom of the Scots, had its own distinct identity long before the two countries were united. By the 9th century, Scotland emerged as a unified kingdom under King Kenneth MacAlpin.

On the other hand, England’s roots as a unified kingdom began after the Anglo-Saxon kings, culminating in the reign of King Æthelstan in the 10th century. So, right off the bat, these two kingdoms were never the same. The relationship wasn’t as much about integration as it was about competition.

The Wars of Independence: Scotland's Defiance

You know, when you think of the historic tension between Scotland and England, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries. I remember chatting with a friend about Braveheart (who doesn't love a bit of Scottish rebellion?), and we realized that the notion of Scotland being part of England was really shaken by events like the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Scotland's Fight for Sovereignty

During this period, Scotland was fiercely resisting English control, especially after Edward I of England tried to assert dominance over Scotland. William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and others led this resistance, which was all about fighting for Scotland’s sovereignty and independence. So, no—Scotland was not just "part of" England. It was very much its own kingdom, constantly fighting to maintain that independence.

Honestly, thinking about these wars, it’s clear that the idea of Scotland as part of England was not even on the table. The Scottish weren’t just fighting for a seat at the table; they were fighting for their right to have their own table altogether.

The Union of the Crowns and the Act of Union

Okay, so here’s where things get interesting (and a bit confusing). In 1603, Scotland and England entered into what we call the "Union of the Crowns." This didn’t mean Scotland became part of England, but rather, both countries shared the same monarch—James VI of Scotland became James I of England. Still, they remained separate kingdoms with their own laws, governments, and identities.

The Act of Union (1707)

Fast forward a century to 1707, and we finally get to the Act of Union. This is when Scotland and England officially came together to form Great Britain, but again, it wasn’t as though Scotland had simply been "absorbed" by England. The union was a political agreement that created the Kingdom of Great Britain, and it was done mainly for economic and security reasons. And I’ve got to admit, this part of the history is a bit tricky. It wasn’t a popular decision with many Scots at the time, and it’s still a topic of debate today.

Was Scotland Ever Just Part of England?

Now, after all this history, we come back to the main question: was Scotland ever really part of England? Honestly, no—at least not in the way we might think today. The two countries were often in conflict, had separate kings for centuries, and only became politically united in the 18th century through a treaty. Even after the union, Scotland maintained its own culture, legal system, and identity.

So, while the idea of Scotland as part of England might seem reasonable from a modern perspective, looking at the history, you can see how complex and rich this relationship has been. It was never a simple “merger.” There was conflict, resistance, and a lot of negotiation.

Conclusion: Scotland’s Journey to Today

At the end of the day, the idea of Scotland being part of England is a bit misleading. It’s true that the two countries are now part of the United Kingdom, but their shared history is one of independence, struggle, and negotiation. And let’s not forget, Scotland still maintains a distinct identity today, with its own parliament and many cultural differences from England.

I guess, if you ask me, Scotland wasn’t “originally” part of England. It was its own kingdom, with its own kings, fighting fiercely to preserve that independence. And that’s a part of Scottish history that continues to shape its identity today.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.