Yes, Scotland owned slaves, but don't just blame us

The Herald Scotland

13 hours ago

But this also means comprehensively, rather than partially and selectively, and recognising in the words of the novelist L. P. Hartley that 'the past is another country'.
Goring asserts that 'even' the Picts traded in slaves.
Why 'even'?
All tribes and societies throughout history probably did, and we can all agree that Britain's part in the Atlantic trade and the plantations was brutal and appalling, but could not have happened, at least to the extent it did, without the enthusiastic and enriching supply role of the West African kings and tribal chiefs.
She might also have mentioned the North African Barbary slavers who for centuries kidnapped and enslaved an estimated one million Europeans from Mediterranean countries, plus England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Iceland.
She praises Edinburgh University, but its 'cancellation' of David Hume, based largely on one brief and understandable reference (if untypically poorly researched) among all his numerous writings, was unwise and simplistic.
Sir Peter Mathieson, the principal, says 'we cannot have a selective memory about our past', but as Ms Goring writes, he seems selective about the present (Re China).
Likewise, Edinburgh City Council is selective in its Melville Monument plaque in St Andrew Square. I admired the late Professor of Brewing, Sir Geoff Palmer, but he and his panel did not apply a historian's rigour to their choice of wording, which is certainly not comprehensive or impartial, but gives a misleading, distorted and false view of history to its readers, both locals and tourists, about Melville's role in the slave trade's abolition – as many historians have asserted. But the university leadership's silence lends it regrettable credence.
Finally, the Race Review, overseen also by Sir Geoff for the university, refers to Britain's 'genocide' of colonised people, and condemns former PM and Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour for his role in creating today's Palestine and the Middle East.
Both these points are partial and misleading. Balfour was maybe naive, but his 1917 Declaration was clear that a national home for the Jews in Palestine must not prejudice the rights of its existing non-Jews.
Arguably, Germany set the scene for modern Palestine by bringing the Ottoman Empire into the First World War as its ally, leading to the defeat of both, and by the Nazi atrocities in the Second World War.
John Birkett, St Andrews.
Letters: Racism and prejudice are rapidly becoming the norm
Letters: Middle East arms sales morally wrong
Letters: Salmond and Sturgeon have torn the nation apart
Oliver's army
I RECENTLY predicted the collapse of the UK economy and society, and the hope that some benevolent, omniscient Cromwell-type figure would take over, sort everything out, then hand it back to Parliament.
The nearest thing we have to this is what President Trump is doing in the US, and on the world stage.
Toby Young, the founder of the Free Speech Union, suggested Trump should become a UK Citizen, take over Reform UK and stand against Keir Starmer's Labour in the next general election.
Clearly he was making a point rather than a serious proposal, but apart from his opposition to Net Zero and woke ideology, Nigel Farage has neither the policies, people around him, nor guile and ruthlessness to remake the UK.
So it will take someone like Trump to withstand what Young referred to as a radical, reforming government being "met on day one by an institutional intifada" and "seen off by the closed ranks of the Establishment".
Even a year ago I wouldn't have imagined writing the above, but you only have to look at the surreal rearguard action against UK gender laws taking place in NHS Fife and elsewhere, Ed Miliband, Anas Sarwar and John Swinney's trashing of oil and gas, and the windmill obsession.
Also, the impossibility of controlling both legitimate and illegal immigration, and the benefits bill that is engulfing our finances to realise the enormity of the challenge and the need for leadership and brutal reality that doesn't currently exist in the UK
Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven.
Gold-hearted rich
AS a postscript to my letter responding to Neil Mackay's recent opinion piece ('Us vs them: why the rich like Musk and Bezos are destroying our world', The Herald, August 7), I would like to add a thought that suggests that there is another side to this coin, of which, perhaps, a lot of the population are unaware.
First, Bill Gates has created a philanthropical foundation that supports many causes throughout the world.
Second, in Britain there is the Patriotic Millionaires network, who lobby the government about accepting a nominal percentage of their wealth as a form of taxation; the object being to redistribute this to where it would benefit the country.
There may well be others who do much more than is known; this may be where the problem lies.
Perhaps a form of 'quiet' publicity would raise awareness and challenge the incumbent government to acknowledge that this cohort does in fact do more than many are aware of.
If we, the public, and Neil Mackay, draw conclusions that are wrong, who is to blame?
However, the present available information leads to the conclusion drawn by myself, Mr Mackay, and many others .
A balance of the scales is needed, otherwise the perception of the need for a 21st century 'Robin Hood' will remain, and actions be demanded from our politicians.
There is no doubt that something needs to be done, and to be see to be done.
Ian Gray, Croftamie.
Keeping economy afloat
What an inspiring sight I saw from Kirkcaldy Esplanade the other day.
Seven large ships all headed up the Forth.
Whether they were bound for Leith or Rosyth, Hound Point, Braefoot Bay, or even Grangemouth, they represent the trade on which we all depend.
Wouldn't it be something to have a Scottish government that focused on growing our economy, so that there were twice, or three times as many ships in the Forth?
Reform UK, perhaps?
Otto Inglis, Fife.
Pipe dreams
ELLE Duffy's weekly log from Rum is enthusiastically read every Saturday.
My memories of the island date from a trip there in 1975, on a tandem laden with wife, three-year-old son and even bagpipes.
Elle's writing would be more easily digested, however, if she would rid her copy of such ghastly Americanisms as 'gotten' and trees 'laying' down.
Gordon Casely, Kincardineshire.
Dynamism and tight deadlines are the key to solving a crossword, it seems.
Fast times
I JOIN Ian McNair (Letters, August 8) in being irritated by Scottish Government spokespersons claiming to be working 'at pace'.
I am leaving no stone unturned and attempting to be dynamic and resilient under the tight deadline I have set myself for completion of the Wee Stinker.
In my determination and resolution, I shall stop at nothing.
David Miller, Milngavie.