This book examines the history of crime in Scotland, questioning the labelling of Scotland as home to a violent culture and examining changes in violent behaviour over time, the role of religion on violence, how gender impacted on violence and how the level of Scottish violence fares when compared to incidents of violence throughout the rest of the UK.

Anne-Marie Kilday is Professor of Criminal History and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean at Oxford Brookes University, UK

The Violent North - Fact or Fiction: Introduction and Context, 1. The Violent North? Fatal Violence, 1660-1960, 2. The Violent North? Sexual Violence, 1660-1960, 3. The Violent North? Violent Assault: Public and Private, 1660-1960, 4. The Violent North? Communal Violence, 1660-1960, 5. The Violent North? Violence for Gain, 1660-1960, 6. The Violent North or The Enterprising Scot, 1660-1960?, The Violent North: Conclusion, Bibliography, Index