Independence Timeline

This list is just intended as a quick reference to the Scottish independence movement. The list is by no means complete.

1950s

Scottish Covenant petition for a home rule Scottish government

1960s

North Sea oil discovery

1967

Winnie Ewing's ground-breaking victory at Hamilton by-election

1972

"It's Scotland's Oil" slogan launched

1973

oil crisis

1974

McCrone Report commissioned under Conservative Ted Heath Government

Labour leader Harold Wilson wins general election(s)

SNP returns an all-time high of 11 MPs

1979

Scottish devolution referendum fails 40% rule

Margaret Thatcher wins general election

1997

Scottish devolution referendum for a Scottish Parliament succeeds

1999

Scottish Parliament established

2004

Alex Salmond assumes SNP party leadership (for a second time)

2007

SNP becomes largest political party in Scottish Parliamentary election and forms a minority government

2011

SNP achieves absolute majority in Scottish Parliamentary election

2012

Launch of Yes Scotland campaign in support of Scottish independence

Edinburgh Agreement between the Scottish Government and the UK Government over the terms of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum

2014

Referendum on Scottish independence