Scottish history, and Highland history more so, lack the convenient labels of English history - Norman, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian and Victorian, the names of their ruling dynasties or monarchs - by which specific period characteristics across a broad range of culture may be identified and discussed.

This had led to the mistaken belief that there is no clearly discernible sequence of events and social conditions. The authors, who both have extensive knowledge of the Highlands, dispute this and propose a framework of seven clearly distinguishable periods to make sense of the sequence of events, the pattern of developments and social conditions, and the not inconsiderable achievements of art, craft and literature.

Concise in style and informed by great erudition, Periods of Highland History offers a wealth of details on topics ranging from clan warfare to the origin of the Highlanders' distinctive dress to the agricultural methods they used to support themselves in their beautiful but rugged land.

Until recently change came slowly in the Highlands, making distinct phases hard to identify. To help distinguish them the authors have highlighted processes such as the development of strong clan identities, the flowering of Gaelic verse and the recovery of Highland morale after the defeat at Culloden.