Scottish history questions to be compulsory in exams
Mel Gibson as William Wallace
Higher history exams are set to include compulsory questions on Scottish history questions from 2010/11.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority made the decision after a campaign by teachers and academics.
Professor Tom Devine, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and described as "Scotland's most prominent modern historian," had previously labelled the situation "a national disgrace" in 2005.
The Higher exam has always contained optional sections on the history of Scotland, but they were often focused on topics not usually taught in schools.
The move has been praised by leading TV historian Fiona Watson, who presented the BBC TV series In Search of Scotland.
Dr Watson, a lecturer in Scottish History and Director of Environmental History and Policy at Stirling University, told BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There has been Scottish history as part of the curriculum now for quite a long time and there has been an awful lot of work done on it but the problem was it was always voluntary and that means if people wanted to avoid it then they could.
"I think it also underlines the sense that Scottish history is important. If everybody has to get out there and actually answer some questions on it then it underlines the fact that it is a fundamental part of our culture."
A spokesman for the Educational Institute for Scotland also praised the move, saying: "While it is important that pupils learn about the wider world, it is equally important that they have an appreciation of the history of their own country and its culture."
Steve Boardman, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, commented: "There is some anxiety about any elements of compulsion with a curriculum, but it's good to see Scottish students learning more about their history and background."
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