Letter: Historical values

I FIND it hard to believe that in 2012 we are even discussing, in our own parliament, whether Scottish history/studies be taught in our own schools.

I am utterly dismayed that parties are opposing this basic right and using it politically. It simply reeks of negativity and desperation.

To know your history is to know yourself. The Scotland of today was never inevitable. It exists due to the twists and turns of history right from when the first humans crossed the land bridge of Doggerland from the continent when the last ice retreated, and found shelter and food in the foreshore of Cramond 10,000 years ago, to the banking crisis today.

I was never taught any Scottish history in my 1970s schooling. I am revelling in learning about it now in my 40s.

I recently read a fascinating book on the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century and the Scots influence both at home and abroad in medicine, engineering, philosophy, geology, chemistry and so on.

When I told my mother – a former school teacher – about it she replied: “The Scottish Enlightenment, I think I’ve heard of that.” A damning indictment!

We need to know our history – warts, witches and all. If we want to shape the future for ourselves and our children, we need to know how we got here in the first place.

Barbara Stevenson

Balgreen Road

Edinburgh