The Galloway Glens ‘Hidden Culture’ programme is excited to announce our next event, profiling David Currie of Newlaw, lifting a lid on the dark history of Smuggling and Slave Trading on our Galloway coastline
Online Event: 09 March, 7.30pm
As part of the ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology project, we are delighted to have Frances Wilkins, esteemed author of numerous books about smuggling and slave trading on the Solway Coast, join us in sharing her insights and knowledge with an online audience on 9th March.
Based on original research, Frances will be talking about David Currie, a larger-than-life character even by 18th century standards. Currie’s story will take us from Dumfries and Galloway to the Isle of Man and even America, as we follow his desperate attempts to avoid bankruptcy.
To book your free online ticket, click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/david-currie-of-newlaw-merchant-smuggler-slave-trader-tickets-254753132477
The event will be introduced by Jan Hogarth, the Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement officer. Jan said:
“This will be an opportunity to uncover, perhaps, a darker side of the history of smuggling and slave trading in the south of Scotland. For hundreds of years this dark history has remained hidden. Frances will shine a light on it and help us all find out more about what really went on and the multiple functions of the “merchant” boats that sailed from Kirkcudbright.”
Frances has published over 40 historical titles through her publishing company, Wyre Forest Press and has been a lecturer in Dumfries and Galloway for over 30 years. In 2009 she was awarded the Black History Foundation’s Award for the best contribution to black history in Scotland for an exhibition at Kirkcudbright. She enjoys guiding smuggling trails from Annandale to the Bay of Luce.
Also speaking at the event will be Claire Williamson from the Can You Dig It project. Claire added:
“It’s great to have Frances join us for this event and I can already think of so many questions that I want to ask. Living by the sea, I think that we’re all aware of Scotland’s smuggling past, but we might not realise how extensive it once was. We hope that you’ll join us on the 9th of March as we take to the open sea for an unforgettable evening”.
Do join us for what will be a fascinating and enlightening event with Frances Wilkins, expert on smuggling and slave trading in the South of Scotland’s Coastline, hosted by Galloway Glens and Can You Dig It. This event is part of Visit Scotland’s Year of Stories programme. Links to Galloway Glens Zoom Room will be sent out by email on the day of the event.
