Edinburgh apologises for past role in the slave trade and colonialism

The City of Edinburgh Council has made a formal apology for the city's past role in the slave trade.   

The Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, stated:

"The decision of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on 30 August 2022 provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on the city’s role in the rise of colonialism and the part played by some of our forefathers in slavery and the economic benefits of it.

It is impossible to look out from this building across the city and not see how the landscape of the city was shaped by the wealth generated from colonialism and slavery.

The effects of colonialism and slavery are deeply embedded in the fabric of our city, in the buildings, in the institutions and even in the way that Edinburgh is laid out.

We cannot deny the benefits that the city has accrued over the years from the exploitation of others and in particular the continent and peoples of Africa.

Coming to terms with our past and recognising the detriment our ancestors have wrought through colonialism and slavery is very difficult for us all.

But try we must to reconcile our past with the generations of today in order that we can move forward, united in our common goals of equality, fraternity and liberty.

Through the establishment of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review, led by Professor Geoff Palmer, Edinburgh is aiming to fill the gap in knowledge and understanding about the city’s past.

I wish to thank Geoff and his team most sincerely for producing a world leading piece of work on the subject which will help shape policy and engagement in our city for the foreseeable future.

It is appropriate to start this process with a formal apology.

So as Civic Leader of the city and Convener of the Council, I apologise to all those who suffered profound physical and mental abuse from the City’s past involvement in colonialism and slavery."

(Source: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13578/edinburgh-apologises-for-the-city-s-past-role-in-sustaining-slavery-and-colonialism)

For more on the story visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63411793 and an earlier story from 30 AUG 2022 at www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/30/edinburgh-to-apologise-over-historical-links-to-slavery.

Chris

My new book Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Through Land Records is now available to buy at https://bit.ly/IrishLandRecords. Also available - Sharing Your Family History Online, Tracing Your Scottish Family History on the Internet, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed), and Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry Through Church and State Records - to purchase, please visit https://bit.ly/ChrisPatonPSbooks. Further news published daily on The Scottish GENES Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.