Eve Miller
This hour of storytelling is a fast-paced, historical whirlwind of information taking us on a whistle-stop-tour of six crucial mistakes in Scottish history that have held us back culturally, socially, and politically.
Mark Meiklejohn has a perspective and something to say. He draws upon primary sources, the writings of historians, and poetic works in order to chart a course of disaster through Scottish history, encompassing Scottish colonial exploits, the betrayal of our people with the clearances and our culture with the commodification of tartan, and our decision to join the Union, never shying away from the role that Scotland played in the deplorable work of the British empire overseas, and the ways in which Scotland failed itself while attempting to profit off of colonialism, morally as well as politically. This production does not paint Scotland as a victim, but an active agent in the creation of a Scottish society that has viewed itself as a subordinate of England, albeit under duress. He also addresses internal inequalities of class and gender, and the bald fact that it was almost exclusively powerful white Scottish men who made these mistakes.
As dark and depressing as all of this sounds, Meiklejohn maintains a dry sense of humour throughout, keeping the energy of the crowd high and coaxing laughter from us with ease as he reels off fact after fact, and joke after joke with impressive speed. An engaging performer with a subtle touch, he makes light work of delivering an intricate, and what could in the wrong hands become dry, performance. He is likeable and persuasive, with an eccentric perspective that allows him to present some well trodden historical paths in a new light, pulling out key information and unlocking novel points of view.
This production is truly interesting. Factual, funny, and firmly engaging, Meiklejohn takes the audience on a frank exploration of Scottish history, that engages with historical fact and pulls together threads that initially appear unconnected, revealing patterns and correlations that tell us something about the shape of Scotland’s socio-political landscape in the present.
Well researched, punchy, and socially conscious, A History of Scotland in Six Bad Ideas is a lot to take in, and will have you rethinking everything you think you know about Scottish history.
Recommended Drink: A nice cold pint, so you can imagine debating Meiklejohn in a cosy pub.
Performances of A History of Scotland in Six Bad Ideas have now concluded at Dundee Fringe 2025.
Jasmine Silk
Jake Mace
