Black Death

The Black Death, a devastating outbreak of the bubonic plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, reached Scotland in 1349. Initially entering through the port of Haddington, it quickly spread throughout the country, decimating large portions of the population. Scottish towns and rural areas alike experienced profound social and economic disruptions, with some settlements abandoned entirely. The impact of the plague reshaped Scottish society, leading to labor shortages, wage increases, and shifts in land use patterns.

The last significant outbreak of the bubonic plague in Scotland occurred in 1647-1648, especially hitting cities like Edinburgh. There were smaller outbreaks in some locations in the late 17th century. As for the 18th century, by most historical accounts, there wasn't a major outbreak of the bubonic plague in Scotland.