Scotland and the Slave Trade
After the Act of Union in 1707, Scottish merchants were allowed access to the England's trade routes and began to trade with the new colonies. Glasgow prospered and became known as 'the second city of the Empire'.
Scots travelled to the colonies from all parts of Scotland, some transported by force, others seeking opportunity and adventure. Merchants arrived followed by administrators, doctors, and missionaries. Some were employed to help manage the estates, others built new plantations themselves.
Many prospered. In 1796, Scots owned nearly 30% of the estates in Jamaica. In 1817 they owned 32% of the slaves.
The profits from the slave trade established Glasgow as a major port, and made the 'Tobacco Lords' of Glasgow wealthy. Many of those who had established estates in the colonies using slave labour returned to Scotland with their wealth, building large mansions.
Some of this wealth was invested in Scotland's developing industries. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Scotland became one of the most advanced industrial economies of the world.
Find out about the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade.