A costumed renenactor playing John Edmonstone poses beside a model of Edinburgh

The Georgian period was a time of real change in Edinburgh. From the Jacobite Risings to the achievements of the Scottish Enlightenment, the city witnessed many of the events which shaped modern Scotland. It’s the inspiration behind our brand-new teaching resource, Go Auld Reekie. 

But the wealth and success of Edinburgh came at a cost, a result of the city’s links with the British Empire and connections to the Atlantic Slave Trade. Read on to find out how Go Auld Reekie is working to give a fuller picture of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

A new resource

A table dispalying items found in the Go Auld Reekie educational handling box. They include shoes, keys and shackles

The Go Auld Reekie handling box contains replica and original objects that tell us about life in Edinburgh before, and during, the 18th century

The renewed urgency to the global Black Lives Matter movement in summer 2020, gave individuals and organisations cause to pause and reflect. At HES, as Scotland’s lead heritage body, we have a responsibility to continue to look at different ways that shine a spotlight on history and which provide an honest depiction of the past.

The City of Edinburgh Council also recently published the report from their Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review. One of the key topics is teaching and learning materials. It’s recommended that they’re developed and delivered to fill the gap in respect of Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s role in slavery and colonialism. 

A man in period costume holding a small replica tortoise at the Go Auld Reekie launch event

A reenactor performing as John Edmonstone at our recent launch event for Go Auld Reekie

As such, we have developed Go Auld Reekie, one of the first teaching resources we’ve produced which gives an encompassing narrative of Edinburgh in the Georgian period. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the fascinating people you’ll find inside.

William Macao 

William Macao came to Scotland from Macau in China onboard a trading ship, first recorded as a male servant in 1777. First working as a footman, he later became an accountant at the Excise Office in Chessels Court.

An illustration of a Chinese man in 18th century outfit consisting of a blue jacket, brown shirt

William became a part of Edinburgh’s professional class and is the first recorded individual from China to become a permanent resident in Scotland. This was particularly remarkable. It was forbidden for any Chinese subject to leave their country at the time.

Susanna McIver  

An illustration on a Georgian lady in a black shawl and white bonnet

Susanna McIver ran a cookery school for the daughters and wives of the middle class, teaching all the basic skills needed. The school was based in Stevenlaw’s Close, of the south side of the Lawnmarket.

She also published a recipe book, ‘Cookery and Pastry’, which became a best-seller and went on to three editions. The book contained the first ever printed recipe for haggis!

John Edmonstone

Formerly enslaved in Guyana, John Edmonstone became a free man upon entering Scotland in 1817.

An illustration of man wearing a brown leather apron, a blue bow tie and round spectacles

He worked for the University of Edinburgh’s zoological museum and taught taxidermy to students. This included teaching a young Charles Darwin preservation skills. He later went on to use them during his voyage on the HMS Beagle.

You can find out more about him elsewhere on the blog:

Stuffed birds and a missing plaque: The story of John Edmonstone

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Andrew Ramsay

An illustration of many with a black hat and a brown jacket on which the number 20 is sewn

Caddies like Andrew Ramsay were messengers or guides for hire. They offered a range of services and could run errands, catch thieves, or act as a manservant.

Caddies were regulated and represented by their own society. But they also had a rough image, once described as “a ragged, half-blackguard-looking set”.

The Mercat Cross on the High Street was a well-known haunt for caddies. Gathering at the central point in the city was a good way to attract customers.  

  • A black and white illustration of an ornate stone market cross topped with a unicorn

    An illustration of the Mercat Cross found in ‘Go Auld Reekie’

  • Tourists gathered around a stone market cross on Edinburgh

    The Mercat Cross stands at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town

Malvina Wells

Malvina Wells was an enslaved person belonging to the Macrae family, who were plantation owners in Grenada. Before 1851, she moved to Edinburgh and became a free woman.

An illustartion of a lady wearing a bright red headscarf along with earrings, a large collar and a plain dress

She stayed in the New Town, working as a lady’s maid for prominent families. For a time, she ran her own household at 42 Thistle Street.

Her grave is in St John’s Episcopal Graveyard, Princes Street.  

A modest gravestone with largely faded inscriptions

The future for inclusive education

The narrative of slavery and colonialism is embedded into the history of Edinburgh. Whilst education on these subjects can be difficult and uncomfortable, ignoring them erases a part of history and overlooks the impacts still felt in ethnic minority communities today.

A member of Historic Environment Scotland stafff points out details on a replica of a historic shoe to two young learners

With Go Auld Reekie, we are glad to be contributing to increasing education around these important topics.

Head to the HES website to see more of the Go Auld Reekie resources and to book the handling box.

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About Author

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Rachel Nicholson

Rachel is the World Heritage Officer within Historic Environment Scotland’s World Heritage and Heritage Policy team, supporting the management, protection and engagement with Scotland’s six amazing World Heritage Sites.