Determine which area or period of Scottish history you intend to study. Most historians focus one area of history rather than trying to understand the entire scope of a nation's history. Areas for potential study include ancient history, the role of monastic Christianity in Scottish history (Middle Ages), Renaissance and Reformation Scotland, the period of the union of Scotland and England, the Victorian Age, the Enlightenment, the wars for Scottish independence and modern Scotland.
Consult general history websites and works of general Scottish history. These will provide you with a basic understanding of Scottish history and will also provide you with either links to additional resources or a bibliography of important works of history. The BBC provides a decent basic overview of Scottish history through its website. The National Archives of Scotland (NAS) also provides an extensive bibliography of important works by historians. The NAS recommends "The Sources of Scottish History" by Gordon Donaldson as one of the more comprehensive lists of works in Scottish history.
Use online database searches to find important articles on Scottish history. If you are a college or university student, your school should have access to many of the important historical journals through academic databases like Ebsco. You can use these databases to search for specific topics in Scottish history.
Attend school at a college or university that is known for its scholarship in the field of Scottish history. The University of Edinburgh offers Scottish history as one of its five major areas of concentration. Studying abroad in Scotland can be one of the best ways to learn about Scottish history; there is no substitute for first-hand experience. The university offers bachelor's degrees as well as more advanced degrees in Scottish history such as the Master of Philosophy and the Ph.D.