Scots have a problem. And no, it isn’t the minimum unit pricing, though that does come at a close second.
The question as to whether Scotland should remain in the UK is a pertinent debate. Dreams of an independent Scotland free from Westminster’s shackles captivate many Scots. I, myself, can’t quite blame my fellow countrymen and women for detesting this union, especially in consideration of the travesty that is Brexit.
Some Scots don’t just reserve criticism solely for the union’s current arrangement, however, but also towards the UK’s imperialist past. Certainly, there are no excuses for the British Empire’s cruel and widespread oppression of various peoples. This condemnation is all well and good, that is until the claim is made that Scotland was amongst the colonised.
Such claims aren’t just grossly offensive, but inaccurate to the history of Scotland’s role in Empire. To address such ridiculous statements, one must look to the Treaty of Union in 1707, the agreement which saw Scotland enter union with England in exchange for a range of economic benefits.
Some would paint this as England exploiting a financially vulnerable Scotland. Such accusations are ignorant, conveniently neglecting Scotland’s own expansionist ambitions prior to the Union. Observe, for instance, Scotland’s disastrous attempt to colonise Panama with its investments in the Darien Scheme. Meanwhile, English imperial ventures in India and the Americas were greatly successful. So, is it any wonder that Scotland decided to enter into the union for a slice of the imperial pie?
With the union and, alongside it, the Empire, came a period of great prosperity for Scotland. This is especially noticeable in Glasgow and Edinburgh, whose respective roles in the transatlantic slave trade earned the two abundant scores of wealth. Such ill-gotten gains, improved both the infrastructure and the economies of the two, though at the expense of all those who were victim to the Empire’s insatiable greed.
Regardless of current political sentiments, Scotland had undoubtedly joined the union not just as a willing participant, but with the hope of acquiring colonial wealth that is still enjoyed to this day. As someone who loves this country, I understand how difficult it is to acknowledge its shameful past, but it is crucial that us Scots recognise our nation’s dark truths, nonetheless.
“Scotland’s independence referendum approaches – geograph.org.uk – 3889453” by William Starkey is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.