The history of Scotland is a tapestry woven with ancient Celtic roots, Norse influences, and interactions with England. In the early medieval period, Scotland was divided into various kingdoms, which later became Scotland. The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 marked a pivotal moment in the country's history, as it secured Scottish independence from English rule. The subsequent centuries saw the Stewart monarchy, the Union of Crowns with England in 1603, and the eventual Act of Union in 1707, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain. Today, Scotland maintains a distinctive cultural identity, while also being an integral part of the United Kingdom.