Travel back in time through Scottish history by examining early modern Scottish handwriting. Explore Scottish history and learn more about using historical sources. Palaeography is the study of ancient handwriting and a vital skill in the historian’s toolkit. It is essential when conducting research on early modern Scotland – a period of profound political, religious and social change the effects of which can still be felt today.

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On this course you’ll travel back through Scottish history by studying material from the National Records of Scotland and other archives. You’ll explore diverse topics in Scotland’s past, get an introduction to various forms of historical sources and develop your own palaeography skills.

What topics will you cover?

- Learn to read and interpret early modern manuscripts.

- Obtain specialist skills required to transcribe documents.

- Develop an understanding of how historical research is conducted.

- Knowledge of politics, religion and society in early modern Scotland.

- Become familiar with extant records stored in Scottish archives.

- Develop expertise in handling the kirk session records of the Church of Scotland.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- The ability to read and interpret early modern manuscripts.

- The specialist skills required to transcribe documents.

- An understanding of how historical research is conducted.

- Knowledge of politics, religion and society in early modern Scotland.

- Familiarity with extant records stored in Scottish archives.

- Expertise in handling the kirk session records of the Church of Scotland.