The Georgian interval was a time of actual change in Edinburgh. From the Jacobite Risings to the achievements of the Scottish Enlightenment, the town witnessed most of the occasions which formed trendy Scotland. It’s the inspiration behind our brand-new educating useful resource, Go Auld Reekie.
However the wealth and success of Edinburgh got here at a price, a results of the town’s hyperlinks with the British Empire and connections to the Atlantic Slave Commerce. Learn on to learn how Go Auld Reekie is working to offer a fuller image of the Outdated and New Cities of Edinburgh World Heritage Website.
A brand new useful resource
The Go Auld Reekie dealing with field accommodates reproduction and unique objects that inform us about life in Edinburgh earlier than, and through, the 18th century
The renewed urgency to the worldwide Black Lives Matter motion in summer time 2020, gave people and organisations trigger to pause and mirror. At HES, as Scotland’s lead heritage physique, now we have a duty to proceed to have a look at completely different ways in which shine a highlight on historical past and which offer an trustworthy depiction of the previous.
The Metropolis of Edinburgh Council additionally not too long ago printed the report from their Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Evaluate. One of many key matters is educating and studying supplies. It’s advisable that they’re developed and delivered to fill the hole in respect of Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s position in slavery and colonialism.
A reenactor performing as John Edmonstone at our current launch occasion for Go Auld Reekie
As such, now we have developed Go Auld Reekie, one of many first educating sources we’ve produced which provides an encompassing narrative of Edinburgh within the Georgian interval. Here’s a sneak peek into among the fascinating individuals you’ll discover inside.
William Macao
William Macao got here to Scotland from Macau in China onboard a buying and selling ship, first recorded as a male servant in 1777. First working as a footman, he later turned an accountant on the Excise Workplace in Chessels Court docket.
William turned part of Edinburgh’s skilled class and is the primary recorded particular person from China to grow to be a everlasting resident in Scotland. This was notably exceptional. It was forbidden for any Chinese language topic to depart their nation on the time.
Susanna McIver
Susanna McIver ran a cookery faculty for the daughters and wives of the center class, educating all the essential expertise wanted. The college was based mostly in Stevenlaw’s Shut, of the south aspect of the Lawnmarket.
She additionally printed a recipe guide, ‘Cookery and Pastry’, which turned a best-seller and went on to a few editions. The guide contained the primary ever printed recipe for haggis!
John Edmonstone
Previously enslaved in Guyana, John Edmonstone turned a free man upon coming into Scotland in 1817.
He labored for the College of Edinburgh’s zoological museum and taught taxidermy to college students. This included educating a younger Charles Darwin preservation expertise. He later went on to make use of them throughout his voyage on the HMS Beagle.
You’ll find out extra about him elsewhere on the weblog:
Stuffed birds and a lacking plaque: The story of John Edmonstone
Andrew Ramsay
Caddies like Andrew Ramsay had been messengers or guides for rent. They provided a spread of companies and will run errands, catch thieves, or act as a manservant.
Caddies had been regulated and represented by their very own society. However in addition they had a tough picture, as soon as described as “a ragged, half-blackguard-looking set”.
The Mercat Cross on the Excessive Road was a well known hang-out for caddies. Gathering on the central level within the metropolis was a great way to draw prospects.
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An illustration of the Mercat Cross present in ‘Go Auld Reekie’
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The Mercat Cross stands on the coronary heart of Edinburgh’s Outdated City
Malvina Wells
Malvina Wells was an enslaved individual belonging to the Macrae household, who had been plantation house owners in Grenada. Earlier than 1851, she moved to Edinburgh and have become a free girl.
She stayed within the New City, working as a woman’s maid for distinguished households. For a time, she ran her personal family at 42 Thistle Road.
Her grave, in St John’s Episcopal Graveyard, Princes Road is the one recognized grave in Edinburgh of somebody born enslaved.
The longer term for inclusive schooling
The narrative of slavery and colonialism is embedded into the historical past of Edinburgh. While schooling on these topics will be tough and uncomfortable, ignoring them erases part of historical past and overlooks the impacts nonetheless felt in ethnic minority communities as we speak.
With Go Auld Reekie, we’re glad to be contributing to rising schooling round these vital matters.
Head to the HES web site to see extra of the Go Auld Reekie sources and to guide the dealing with field.
