European Studies Archives - Edinburgh University Press Blog

Black-and-white photograph of an elderly man with white hair and a beard sitting at a desk, looking toward the camera while holding open a large illustrated book in an art-filled studio or office.

Richard Demarco: Overwhelmed by Memories

Richard Demarco has finally found a secure home for his vast archive, in Poland rather than Scotland, and is reckoning with a lifetime of not quite belonging.

Edinburgh University Press
September 25, 2026

A large historic stone mansion with symmetrical architecture, tall sash windows, and a central staircase leading to the main entrance. The building has a gray weathered facade, multiple chimneys, and ornate detailing above the center section. A wide green lawn stretches across the foreground under an overcast sky.

What does the history of Hopetoun House tell modern readers?

by Charlotte Bassett Built by landowners who worked to maximise the profitability of their many landholdings, Hopetoun House embodied the massive socio-economic paradigm shifts that took place during the 1700s in Scotland. It was built approximately thirteen miles northwest of…

Edinburgh University Press
September 22, 2026

A rainy urban street scene in Glasgow, Scotland, viewed from street level. Wet asphalt reflects headlights and traffic signals, with historic stone buildings and modern storefronts lining both sides. A city bus travels down the road, pedestrians walk along the pavements, and a pedestrian bridge spans the street in the distance. Overcast, atmospheric weather.

‘Lawless’ Glasgow: Urban Declinism and the Radical Right in Scotland

The conversation around Scotland’s urban decline has become more than a question of neglected streets, with the radical right turning everyday frustrations into something darker...

Edinburgh University Press
September 4, 2026

o Reproduction of a sketch bound in the pages of the periodical issue. On the left the artwork represents a human figure crouched down on the grass and looking at a smaller-size, nymph-like female figure standing on the right beside two daffodils (the titular Spirit of the Daffodil). Of the observer mainly his head and hands are visible and are painted in darker tones. Hues for the daffodil nymph are lighter and brighter.

6 Things About Irish Literature and Periodical Culture You Probably Didn’t Know

Discover six surprising facts about Irish literature, from James Joyce to forgotten writers and literary magazines.

Edinburgh University Press
August 7, 2026

**Alt text:** A wide view down a cobblestone street in Edinburgh's historic city center, lined with large stone buildings. A Gothic church with a tall, ornate spire stands prominently on the right side of the street. Crowds of pedestrians gather along the sidewalks and at intersections, while a few vehicles travel along the road. The scene is photographed from the upper deck of a red sightseeing bus, with part of the bus and a passenger visible in the foreground. Dark, dramatic clouds hang overhead, contrasting with patches of lighter sky.

The Battle for the Soul of the Edinburgh Fringe

Free is not rubbish! The Free Fringe is a key part of the Fringe's ecology, injecting a much-needed dose of authenticity.

Edinburgh University Press
August 6, 2026

Looking out through the window of a former industrial building in Glasgow’s East End, we see large areas of derelict ex-industrial land in need of reclamation for development, and in the distance, other formerly industrial buildings.

The Scottish Office and the ‘Glasgow Problem’

In Spring 1997, civil servants in Edinburgh, in the pre-devolution Scottish Office (SO), faced ‘the Glasgow Problem’.

Edinburgh University Press
July 15, 2026

Statue of the philosopher and economist Adam Smith with St Giles’ Cathedral and other buildings in the background, against blue sky

What the Scottish Enlightenment Can Teach Us about Science and Religion

Lewis Ashman explores how 18th century Scottish Enlightenment philosophers reconciled science with religious belief.

Edinburgh University Press
July 1, 2026

Low-angle view of a dark bronze memorial sculpture featuring three offshore oil workers standing back-to-back against a cloudy sky, silhouetted by sunlight breaking through the clouds.

5 things the Piper Alpha disaster tells us about how the media covers anniversaries

Richard Jones on how journalism can reinterpret the meaning of historic events, helping them to retain a place in society’s shared consciousness.

Edinburgh University Press
June 9, 2026

A black-and-white photo of a large neoclassical stone building with tall fluted columns, a triangular pediment, and ornate detailing along the roofline. The structure has a monumental, temple-like appearance, with dark shadows emphasizing the architectural features. Bushes and smaller adjoining sections of the building are visible in the foreground and left side.

Lessons from Scottish Schools

Lindsay Paterson discusses Scotland’s educational decline and the social inequality of attainment.

Edinburgh University Press
May 14, 2026