300th Anniversary of the United Kingdom (March-May 2007)

[jkmccrann]

Given the first half of next year marks the 300th Anniversary of the founding of the United Kingdom in 1707 with the union of the Scottish & English parliaments under one roof in Westminster, I was just curious as to whether any of the Britons on here would care to share their feelings on this momentous anniversary.

Particularly, I guess, any members of the board of a more Scottish persuasion. Does this anniversary make your blood boil at the futility of William Wallace and his kin, or does this mark to you a significant step forward in the development of the Scottish peoples in unity with the southerners of England. Is this something to celebrate or something to cry over?

Does anyone know if any official celebrations are planned for the anniversaries coming up? I would wager that the current PM will be hanging around Downing St. through this period perhaps to enjoy a nice series of regal events as he sails off into the sunset of his own inflated importance.

[Huevos Grandes]

I... am reminded of a scene in a field, in the film, "Trainspotting (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/)".

[Sleepy]

I imagine most of us will ignore it, though the SNP will probably declare a day of mourning or some such PR gimmick.

[Glom]

Aren't the SNP European integrationists? Ironic that they want independence for Scotland from Westminster only to then surrender it to Brussels.

[Lianachan]

Forum rules on civility and, particularly, swearing would prohibit me from replying fully in this thread. Besides, isn't this topic political by it's very nature?

[Halcyon Dayz]

Aren't the SNP European integrationists?
Ironic that they want independence for Scotland from Westminster
only to then surrender it to Brussels.
I could point out several good reasons. :D
But I'm not going to.
This thread should indeed be locked.

[jkmccrann]

I guess this does have something of a political dimension, but I think the response of Lianachan has sufficiently answered my curiosity in any case. Even 300 years past their time, some anniversaries are not regarded through anything like rose-tinted glasses, which tends to suggest this is not an anniversary many regard as worth celebrating.

I guess a better question would be, considering my complete ignorance of many things British, does K12 schooling in Britain - Scotland or elsewhere, consist of course material relating to events like this in British history and is the Act of Union of 1707 in fact a widely known historic event to the average student? Or is it something that most would never have heard of?