Scotland's “Seven Ill Years” (1695 - 1702)

Scotland’s Forgotten Famine

The Seven Ill Years of the 1690s stand as one of the darkest and most challenging periods in Scottish history. A combination of catastrophic climate change, failed harvests, and economic turmoil led to mass starvation, disease, and the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Scotland, already a vulnerable nation, was pushed to the brink, with desperate survivors resorting to eating grass, roots, and even spoiled food in their fight to stay alive.

This famine not only reshaped the Scottish population but also played a crucial role in pushing the country toward economic and political union with England. Despite its devastating impact, the "Seven Ill Years" remain largely overshadowed in history. This article explores the scale of suffering, the collapse of daily life, and the long-term consequences of this near-apocalyptic disaster.