Robert McColl Millar examines how language has been used in Scotland since the earliest times. While primarily focusing on the histories of the speakers of Scots and Gaelic, and their competition with the encroaching use of (Scottish) Standard English, he also traces the decline and eventual ‘death’ of Pictish, British and Norn. Four case studies illustrate the historical development of North East Scots, Scottish Standard English, Shetland Scots and Glasgow Scots. Immigrant languages are also discussed throughout the book.

A very worthy and illuminating read for anyone interested in the linguistic landscape of Scotland. -- Christine Elsweiler, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität * Anglia *
Millar’s book shows what can be achieved by a scholar with a deep knowledge of a central dimension of Scottish life in the past. Its exposition of the dynamics of social change across the entire span of Scotland’s history allows it to embrace Scotland’s enduring diver-sity and to achieve a comprehensiveness that eludes previous histories. For any student or anyone else wanting a single-volume introduction to Scottish history, this is the book I would recommend they should read, followed by Elliott’s Scots and Catalans. -- Dauvit Broun, University of Glasgow * Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development *
This book is essential for anyone who would like to strengthen their understanding of the social history of language use in Scotland. It is eminently readable, excellently researched, replete with examples and analysis, and it is, ultimately, a significantly valuable addition to Scotland’s sociolinguistic and historical literature. -- Robert Lawson, Birmingham City University * Northern Scotland *
Millar’s profound engagement with linguistic detail and socio-cultural developments shines out throughout this important book. Especially impressive is how Millar never forgets the human factor, including drawing on his own family’s social and multi-lingual journey through time. The result is a major advance in the study of the nation’s languages. -- Professor Jeremy Smith, University of Glasgow

Robert McColl Millar is Reader in Linguistics in the School of Language & Literature at the University of Aberdeen. His books include Northern and Insular Scots (2007), Authority and Identity. A Sociolinguistic History of Europe before the Modern Age (2010) and English Historical Sociolinguistics (2012).