The similarities between Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow are quite striking. All minor ports in 1660s, underwent rapid growth whilst connections with Atlantic world increased up to 1700. Different specialisms in 18th c. Bristol (slave trade then sugar), Liverpool (tobacco then...

slave trade), Glasgow (tobacco then sugar). All minor ports transformed into global hubs with local economies and society - the full internal dynamics of each city - reshaped by produce grown in the Americas by enslaved people.

All the cities undergo urban renaissance with mercantile elites constructing salubrious Georgian townhouses (42 miller street in Glasgow is very similar to tonight’s house).

Connections with transatlantic slavery reshaped the major cities along the western seaboard of Scotland and England.

Arguably, Bristol and Glasgow have publicly reconciled historic connections with slavery with Georgian House Museum (Pinney House) and Liverpool Slavery Museum. Nothing similar in Glasgow (yet). But recent University of Glasgow Slavery Report and ongoing Glasgow City Council

Study are important for percolating new research findings into the popular Scottish consciousness. A bit to go yet, but these conversations are not going away in Scotland.