This paper identifies 'key moments' over a forty- year period of the history of Scottish social work, from the publication of social work and the community in 1966 to the outcomes of the 21st century review contained in changing lives in 2006. A recurring theme is the Scottish dimension, for social work in Scotland needs to be understood as distinct in many important respects from social work elsewhere in the UK. The paper traces the evolution of a vision- of a unified profession promoting social equality- underlying social work and the community, arguing that its redefinition in changing Lives represents both departure from the earlier, radical aspirations and an opportunity for Scottish social workers to re- examine the question of professionalism.