1 May 1707
Act of Union (England and Scotland)

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Until now, although they shared a monarch, England and Scotland had their own privy councils, parliaments, Churches and laws. With the prospect that Scotland might come to a separate settlement of the crown following Anne's death, giving it to one of the exiled Stuarts, the English Whigs are eager for union of the two kingdoms.

The Scottish aren't so sure, fearing that they will be disadvantaged by the removal of trade barriers and that the Presbyterian Church might suffer. However, following the Scots' disastrous Darien Scheme, when millions of pounds are lost in an abortive attempt to colonise part of Panama to compete with English trade, many come to the conclusion that they cannot hope to prosper unless they gain access to England's protected trading sphere.

The Act of Union that is finally agreed eliminates a separate Scottish parliament and (a year later) its privy council, but the Scots retain their own laws , education system and religious establishment. It isn't until 291 years later, in the Scottish Act 1998, that they get back their own parliament and the ability to make domestic policy and laws.

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