This is a history of the Old Poor Law in Scotland, which existed from 1574 to 1845. It is also a history of the poor and of the experience of poverty. In describing how Scottish society's less fortunate members were dealt with the author is able to reveal much about the values of that society and the links and barriers between the classes. This richly woven narrative of events, ideas, and individuals has been constructed largely from the author's meticulous research over a period of 25 years. It is likely to be seen as a classic of enduring importance in the understanding of Scottish social, religious, economic, and political history.