1235 – The first mention of a Scottish Parliament (‘colloquium’)

1293 – The earliest existing record of a Scottish Parliament

1326 – The first Parliament including representatives of the commons as well as lords

1357 – The first mention of the ‘Three Estates’ (clergy, nobility and burgh commissioners)

1560 – The Reformation Parliament

1587 – Act passed creating a system for electing shire commissioners

1592 – The first Parliament to include shire commissioners

1603 – Union of the Scottish and English monarchy under James VI & I

1632 – Foundation stone of Parliament House laid

1639 – Parliament House first used for a meeting of the Scottish Parliament

1651 – Oliver Cromwell abolishes the Scottish Parliament

1660 – Restoration of the monarchy and the Scottish Parliament

1661 – The first meeting of the Scottish Parliament after the Restoration

1689 – Clerical representation in the Parliament abolished

1700 – The failure of the Darien scheme puts economic pressure on Scotland

1706 – Negotiations for the Treaty of Union begin

1707 – The Treaty of Union comes into force and the Parliament of Great Britain meets for the first time

1746 – The post of Secretary for Scotland lapses

1762 – The Earl of Bute becomes the first Scottish Prime Minister in the Parliament of Great Britain

1801 – Union of Ireland and Great Britain

1885 – The post of Secretary for Scotland is revived

1886 – The Scottish Home Rule Association founded

1892 – Secretary for Scotland becomes a Cabinet post

1894 – The forerunner of the Scottish Grand Committee established in the House of Commons to deal with aspects of Scottish Parliamentary business. It was established in its present form in 1957. The Scottish Grand Committee’s remit and powers were expanded in the mid-1990s and it was able to meet not just at Westminster and Edinburgh, but also in other places around Scotland.

1926 – Secretary of Scotland becomes Secretary of State for Scotland

1939 – St Andrew’s House opened – the principal base of the Scottish Office moves from London to Scotland

1948 – The first Scottish Standing Committee in the House of Commons was established to provide detailed scrutiny of Scottish bills. The second Scottish Standing Committee was established in the 1962-63 session to consider Private Members’ Bills.

1969 – The first appointment of a Select Committee on Scottish Affairs in the House of Commons. The Scottish Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons can examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Scottish Office. (The committee was not operational between 1987 and 1992.)

1973 – The Royal Commission on the Constitution recommends devolution for Scotland

1978 – 31 July, Scotland Bill receives royal assent

1979 – 1 March, referendum in Scotland fails to produce clear support for devolution

1988 – The Campaign for a Scottish Assembly produced a report, A Claim of Right for Scotland, which recommended the establishment of a convention to draw up a blueprint for a Scottish assembly or parliamentary body

1989 – The first meeting of the Scottish Constitutional Convention (SCC)

1995 – 30 November, the SCC presents Scotland’s Parliament, Scotland’s Right

1997 – 24 July, publication of the White Paper Scotland’s Parliament

1997 – 11 September, referendum in Scotland produces clear support for devolution

1998 – 19 November, Scotland Bill receives royal assent

1999 – 6 May, first election to the new Scottish Parliament

1999 – 12 May, first meeting of the Scottish Parliament

1999 – 1 July, official opening of the Scottish Parliament

2004 – Scottish Parliament moves to Holyrood