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Selected Dates in Scottish History for the Early Part of June
5 June 1723: The hugely influential political economist and moral philosopher, Adam Smith, was born in Kirkaldy.
6 June 1838: Thomas Blake Glover was born in Fraserburgh. Among the first westerners to establish a business in Japan he is remembered there as one of the founding fathers of modern Japan.
6 June 1891: The death in Ottowa of Sir John A. Macdonald. A dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, he became the first Prime Minister of Canada.
7 June 1329: Robert the Bruce died, succeeded by his 5-year old son, David II. David had been married at the age of four to 7-year-old Joan, daughter of Edward II of England and Isabella of France and while a child had a series of guardians. Edward III of England, taking advantage of David's minority, supported an invasion of Scotland by Edward Balliol, beginning the Second War of Scottish Independence. After the English victory at the Battle of Halidon Hill in July 1333, David and Joan were sent to France for safety, not returning to Scotland until 1341.
7 June 1811: The birth in Bathgate of Sir James Young Simpson. He is mainly remembered for introducing chloroform for anaesthesia in surgery and childbirth. The Church of Scotland opposed anaesthesia in childbirth, saying that the pain was punishment for Eve's sin. Fortunately Queen Victoria agreed to have chloroform for the birth of her 8th child in 1853. She thoroughly approved it and the opposition disappeared!
8 June 793: The monastery at Lindisfarne suffered its first raid by Vikings. Founded around 634 by the Irish monk Aidan, who had been sent from Iona, other leaders continued his legacy - including St Cuthbert. Other raids followed the first, and the monastery was finally abandoned in 875.
9 June 597: St Columba died in his monastery at Iona, which he founded in 563 after travelling from Ireland with twelve companions. Iona is one of the oldest Christian religious centres in Western Europe and was a focal point for the spread of Christianity in Scotland.
10 June 1719: Spanish marines along with hundreds of Jacobite clansmen, were defeated at the Battle of Glen Shiel by British troops. This was part of the 1719 Jacobite rising, supported by the Spanish as part of their war with Britain. The Jacobite leaders managed to escape, while the Spanish surrendered. Their part in the battle is remembered by the name of the nearby mountain, Sgurr nan Spainnteach - "Peak of the Spaniards".
11 June 1488: The Battle of Sauchieburn took place near Stirling, on the site of the earlier Battle of Bannockburn. James III battled his eldest son James, Duke of Rothesay, who though only 15 had become a focus for dissent in the kingdom. James III was injured, then murdered by persons unknown.
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