Today a petition is being launched to call on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to create a formal bilateral partnership with Jamaica, making it a Priority Country for trade and international development. This is to recognise that trade with Jamaica has contributed significantly to the foundations of economic growth and prosperity in Scotland and recognising that Scotland should now seek to advance the prosperity of Jamaica.
The links between the countries include the fact that many Scots came to make their fortunes in the Caribbean slave economy. The consequence is that there is a greater frequency of Scottish surnames in Jamaica than in countries like Canada or New Zealand. A large number of places in Jamaica are Scottish and include Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Elgin, Roxborough and Culloden. More details are in this article.
The petition highlights that between 1760 and 1830 the Scottish economy grew from one of the weakest in Europe to becoming one of the most powerful. Profits were made from vast amounts of Jamaican sugar as the old sugar sheds that still exist in Greenock today testify. Other industries in Scotland profited in unexpected ways. The import of linen to clothe slaves in Jamaica increased tenfold between 1765 and 1795. Recent research has confirmed that Scottish slave ownership was higher than in any other part of the United Kingdom.
The contrast with the comments made during the recent visit of Prime Minister David Cameron to Jamaica is plain.
The petition can be found and signed here. Anyone can sign, not just Scots! It is an initiative of a new organisation called 'Flag Up Scotland Jamaica'.
The links between the countries include the fact that many Scots came to make their fortunes in the Caribbean slave economy. The consequence is that there is a greater frequency of Scottish surnames in Jamaica than in countries like Canada or New Zealand. A large number of places in Jamaica are Scottish and include Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Elgin, Roxborough and Culloden. More details are in this article.
The petition highlights that between 1760 and 1830 the Scottish economy grew from one of the weakest in Europe to becoming one of the most powerful. Profits were made from vast amounts of Jamaican sugar as the old sugar sheds that still exist in Greenock today testify. Other industries in Scotland profited in unexpected ways. The import of linen to clothe slaves in Jamaica increased tenfold between 1765 and 1795. Recent research has confirmed that Scottish slave ownership was higher than in any other part of the United Kingdom.
The contrast with the comments made during the recent visit of Prime Minister David Cameron to Jamaica is plain.
The petition can be found and signed here. Anyone can sign, not just Scots! It is an initiative of a new organisation called 'Flag Up Scotland Jamaica'.
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