Scotland

The scheme that bankrupted a nation: Scotland’s Darién disaster

In the summer of 1698, five ships slipped out of the Scottish port of Leith, loaded with wigs, combs, mirrors, and wool blankets. Their destination was a stretch of jungle on the coast of Panama. The …

St. Andrews Day: A celebration of Scotland’s patron saint

Every 30 November, the people of Scotland and around the world celebrate St. Andrews Day. This day, also called the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle. This …

Black Pioneers of the Isles: The Voices of 18th Century Britain

Black people have lived in Britain long before the Empire Windrush landed at Tilbury Docks. During the 18th century, Black people were present and active within British society, although they faced …

The 1778 Knight v Wedderburn case: A landmark decision in the fight against slavery in Scotland

The 1778 case of Knight v Wedderburn is a significant turning point in the history of slavery and the fight for freedom in Scotland. Joseph Knight, an enslaved man from Guinea, challenged his master, …

Nuremberg Trials: A Landmark in International Justice and Human Rights

In the autumn of 1945, in the bombed-out city of Nuremberg, Germany, the world witnessed something it had never seen before: the leaders of a defeated nation standing trial before an international …

Scotland and the slave trade

‍The history of Scotland’s involvement in the slave trade is a complex and often overlooked aspect of the nation’s past. Between 1500 and 1860, Europeans enslaved over 12 million West …

The Somerset v Stewart Case: A Landmark Decision in the History of Slavery and Abolition

The Somerset v Stewart case, also known as Sommersett v Steuart, Somersett’s case, and the Mansfield Judgment, was a pivotal legal case in the history of slavery and abolition. Decided in 1772 …

Walter Tull: First British-born black army officer

Walter Tull was one of Britain’s first black footballers and a First World War hero. Walter Tull was born in Folkestone, Kent on 28 April 1888. His father, Daniel Tull, the son of a slave, had …

The Act of Union: Uniting England and Scotland

The Act of Union in 1707 was a significant moment in British history that brought together the kingdoms of Scotland and England, forging a united Parliament of Great Britain. This union had long been …

The British Empire: An overview of empire and colonisation

The British Empire was a global phenomenon that spanned over three centuries, establishing the United Kingdom as a dominant world power. It comprised numerous territories and regions across the globe, …