What They Don't Say About Slavery in Scotland

Surely Trans Atlantic slavery wasn't a thing in Scotland? Scottish history tour guide, Bruce Fummey visits Aberdeen University to uncover some unexpected truths

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Scotland History Tours is here for people who want to learn about Scottish history and get ideas for Scottish history tours. I try to make videos which tell you tales from Scotland's past and give you information about key dates in Scottish history and historical places to visit in Scotland. Not all videos are tales from Scotland's history, some of them are about men from Scotland's past or women from Scotland's past. Basically the people who made Scotland. From April 2020 onward I've tried to give ideas for historic days out in Scotland. Essentially these are days out in Scotland for adults who are interested in historical places to visit in Scotland.

As a Scottish history tour guide people ask: Help me plan a Scottish holiday, or help me plan a Scottish vacation if your from the US. So I've tried to give a bit of history, but some places of interest in Scotland as well.

[nickwatson]

“You are not responsible for what happened in the past, unless you try to justify in the present.” SPOT-EFFIN-ON !!!

[gwaptiva]

As a smart person once sang: "It's not your fault that the world is the way it is | It's only your fault if it stays that way"

[marshadulz]

Thanks! The intro to this story touched me deeply. I cried when you said that you are not responsible unless you try to justify it today. You are a wise and gentle soul.

[tiffanyannhowe]

Thank you for not shying away from the uncomfortable. This is where we learn and grow.

[calibrazxr]

There is always more to learn than the time we have to learn it.

[lynnejamieson]

I’m going to quickly start off by saying that if Bruce is going to be performing anywhere near you on his Stories of Scotland tour, you will not be disappointed (even if he insists that you will be). I was fortunate enough to be at the Newcastle gig on Thursday and it was outstanding. My brother and I laughed the whole way through (even though he wouldn’t believe me that not all vegetarians crave bacon), a really great night was had and I hope Dunoon went well last night and that Greenock is great tonight.

I feel that for most Scots who are aware of at least some of the connections to slavery that Scotland has, it feels like a dark and shameful part of our history but there is that inner conflict because of the belief that these wealthy ‘benefactors’ had, that they could use their profits to help tip the scales a little in their favour for when they reached the pearly gates and had to explain themselves to St. Peter. The education, infrastructure, public spaces and arts etc that have benefited generations, though very much appreciated across the years, do feel that little bit tainted.

Where I grew up, a small coastal town called Gourock, there is a coat of arms and parks that were given to the people of Gourock by the Darroch family, who were the Barons of Gourock but had sadly made their fortune off the backs of slaves in Jamaica. The towns coat of arms shows a black man (presumably a slave) up to their waist in a tidal body of water (waves are represented) holding a dagger/knife, with a tall ship in the background that is flying a saltire. Though things like crests and who created the parks you play in aren’t things you really take much notice of as a child (the crests at least are normally way out of your line of sight). It does leave you feeling a little itchy in your own skin to think of how you were able to get the benefit but conflicted because the thought of it not being there is saddening because these are places and benefits that have given to and helped so many over the best part of two centuries and though I don’t feel guilt, I am struck with such a wave of grief for the price that was paid by others long before I was born.

[KellyAnn]

This may be your best video yet…and that’s saying something. Thank you Bruce. People are so busy “whatabout-ing” they miss the point. We are all connected here now and from the past. How we are connected in the future depends on us. Much love to you and your lovely family.

[SusanS]

I wish that someone on my side of the pond would make videos on this topic in the same manner that you have. I really enjoy how much research and care you’ve taken in your presentation.

[michaelwescott]

I used to think, "My family were agricultural workers from the west country, how could they possibly have owned or benefited from slavery?". You've shown how the tendrils infected all areas of society, in so many ways we never thought of. Thanks Bruce, it may be an unsettling education, but necessary.

[MaranathaAlpacas]

Recommend reading: Autobiography of Selim Aga, a Sudanese man who was abducted by Arab slave traders when he was eight years of age, was brought to Scotland in 1836, and raised and educated as a free man. Selim wrote an autobiography of his life as a slave, accompanied by his poetic Ode to Britain and printed in Aberdeen in 1846.

[geowidman]

Without question, the most worthwhile offering you've ever made, and thank you. Bringing your sister and her husband to be a part of the video was a brilliant way to close a circle - right to the very end.

[markmaher]

I visited the recently revamped & rebuilt Plymouth Box museum. I was quite glad to see, that finally, they told the tale of two of the "heroes" of the Armada, Hawkins & Drake, participation in the early Atlantic slave trade. I feel that history must tell the full, warts & all tale of the lives such men as Hawkins & Drake lead, not just the "heroic" portions.

[NeatGreen]

I found you a few days ago and am now addicted to watching you! I adore all your channel! As a descendant of the Scots (Clan Buchanan through to Robert the Bruce) and Māori of New Zealand “You are not responsible for what happened in the past, unless you try to justify in the present.” Is an accurate statement the world over!

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Reply

[ewenmacleod]

What a well balanced view on a throny subject. Well done Bruce, that was amazing

[junesmith]

I just knew by the title of this video that id end up in tears 😢 absolutely incredible story bruce but so very sad...i especially loved your statement at the beginning about it " not being our fault for the past, unless you're trying to "justify" it" ...thank you ❤️

[williammorrison]

Commented a little earlier just wanted to say how you didn't let anyone off the hook, even your family. Honorable.

[JFahl]

Bruce - I have finally watched all your YouTube videos in order from oldest to newest! You are entertaining and simultaneously thought provoking which really helps me remember all of the rich history and cautionary tales (I guess history is one long cautionary tale?) you share. Thank you and your team for all your hard work producing these videos!

[dopedreamz]

So, in 1740 my ancestors were brought to NY as indentured servants with the promise their children would be born free. We were highland people (by legend) so we were sent to the Adirondacks in NY for about 50 years. We were loggers and helped settle the north of NY. In about 1800 weeks moved far north to the St. Lawrence river. We established there so well by 1840 when the town they lived in incorporated they named a road after my family with 17 family members listed. I live just about 15miles from that road today and consider myself entirely Scottish American.

[callumgordon]

Great video. Very thought provoking. Have you done videos of the role of Scots in Empire?

I had a great great uncle, likely a tobacco farm manager in modern day Malawi. Commanded native troops of the Kings African Rifles in WWI. I have photos he had of the war there. I showed them to a bloke who’d studied the campaign. He said the pictures were unusual as my relative had named some of the men in the pictures. He owned some of those men’s medals, but didn’t know what they looked like until he saw our pictures!

Given some of the things my grandma told us, my relative would not be described as an enlightened man… apparently he later owned a shop. He made sufficient from his time in East Africa to allegedly kit out the Glamis Pipe Band. My grandmother’s mother’s side had connections to service with the Bowes Lyon’s at Glamis.

Over 40 years ago I did the British in East Africa as part of my O Grade history. From what I remember, it told us what ‘we’ were doing there, but not why ‘we’ were there…

Appreciate the connection seems tenuous but slavery and empire are intertwined, both in its rise and its abolition. It could be said that all that changed was the method of exploitation.

[junestewart]

Fascinating as always Bruce and the Aberdeen Nigerian connection so very close to home for your family.
Sadly though the slave trade is still alive, though we refer to it as trafficking now, and so many eluding capture despite the efforts of immigration and police authorities.