Scotland
The National shows just how much danger the Union – and Scotland – is still in
The successful launch of a nationalist newspaper shows just how much trouble the Union is still in
Scotland’s miraculous century (it started with the Union)
In 1707 Scotland surrendered what it had of its independence by the Treaty of Union with England. That independence had…
Why does Amazon think my friend is a kidnapper?
About four years ago, an irate father in Minneapolis walked into his local Target shop with a complaint. He wanted…
Say no to devolution without democracy
Imagine if, in one of her first acts as First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon announced that, in spite of…
Ukip is a party for people who hate London. That’s why Labour should be scared
It is interesting that neither Scotland nor Wales have been much bitten by the Ukip bug. The supposedly sensible view…
Scotland needs Jim Murphy (even if he doesn’t want to go back there)
There should, by rights, have been a stampede of candidates to replace Johann Lamont as the leader of the Scottish…
Effie Gray can effie off
Effie Gray, which has been written by Emma Thompson and recounts the doomed marriage of Victorian art critic John Ruskin…
Why everywhere should be more like Essex
Apart from the Wye Valley, where I grew up, there are only two places in Britain I’d consider living: Kent…
Portrait of the week: Cameron visits UN HQ, Scotland checks its bruises, and a Swede sells his submarine
Home David Cameron, the Prime Minister, visited New York for talks at the United Nations; he said Britain supported the…
Yes or no, I’ll never feel the same about the Scots
I doubt I’m alone among English readers of this magazine in having felt uncomfortable with our last issue. ‘Please stay…
The ‘no’ campaign’s problem was that it sounded like me
Journalistically speaking, it’s been a good year to be Scottish and Jewish. Had I been a Welsh Zoroastrian, say, I…
Santander’s secret: to conquer the world, stay like a small-town bank
Four years ago, I wrote that I knew no dark rumours about Santander, the rising force in UK high street…
Reasons for feeling Scottish
Sometimes I say I’m Scottish, a claim often greeted with understandable derision. I was born in England, in Hertfordshire, went…
One week to save Britain
Next week, the most important vote in recent British history will be held. Indeed, it may well turn out to…
Countries shape character (so get ready to like Scots less)
Is national character real? If so, how is it formed?
How independence will impoverish Scottish culture
Daniel Jackson foresees an impoverished cultural landscape for an independentScotland, with artists forced to do Salmond’s bidding
Can the Scots really be as small-minded, mistrustful and chippy as Spoiling suggests?
Referendum fever reaches Stratford East. Spoiling, by John McCann, takes us into the corridors of power in Holyrood shortly after…
The surprise winners from the referendum? Scotland. Politics. Big ideas are back at last
Whatever the outcome of the referendum, Scotland will be better for having had the debate
The democratic deficit at the heart of the Human Rights Act
Dominic Grieve was a worthy attorney-general whose career was helped by this magazine: nine years ago, he was named Spectator…
A celebration of Scottish artistic success over the past 25 years
Since spring this year, art venues across Scotland have been dedicating themselves to a gigantic project called Generation. Involving more…
What Britain will lose if Scotland goes
If Scotland votes for independence, Britain will be left weaker than anyone yet realises
The Spectator's notes: Diana's bed, Boris's dirty trick and Prince Philip's mystery tie
On Friday night, I went to Althorp, childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales, to speak at its literary festival.…
I salute the wisdom of young Scots on independence (they’re voting No, by the way)
It’s a constant theme of this column that today’s young need to stop whingeing about their prospects and get on…
Meet Alex Salmond’s secret weapon: the England football team
Nothing makes Scots feel more Scottish than England playing in a World Cup
Peter McKay’s diary: Is Kate and William’s Scottish trip a pro-union initiative?
Having dampened local republican ardour during their recent tour of New Zealand and Australia, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge…
