The Evolution of Scotland's Towns: Creation, Growth and FragmentationNorthern England and Southern Scotland in the Central Middle AgesMedieval St Andrews: Church, Cult, City.

The article reviews three volumes that examine the role of towns in Scotland's historiography at national, regional, and local levels, with particular focus on early urban development, socio-political institutions, and medieval urban life. One volume explores "Middle Britain" before 1296, highlighting cross-border influences on urban growth through historical and archaeological perspectives. Another volume traces Scottish urban development from the twelfth century onward, emphasizing mercantile origins, social differentiation, and the impact of the Reformation, using multidisciplinary evidence. The third volume focuses on medieval St Andrews, offering detailed studies of its ecclesiastical architecture, daily life, and archaeology, while noting editorial inconsistencies and gaps in coordination. Collectively, these works provide valuable resources for researchers interested in Scottish urban history, though some editorial shortcomings may require readers to critically assess the material.