Statues in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, will be reinstalled with accompanying educational materials that explain the historical figures' connections to slavery, colonialism, and global conflicts. Glasgow City Council announced that all 11 statues in George Square, which were removed as part of a significant transformation of the area, will be returned with new interpretive resources. These resources will be accessible to visitors through leaflets and QR codes, providing details about the individuals and their rise to prominence.
One of the figures commemorated is Lord Clyde, a military commander who participated in the suppression of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This initiative follows the council's previous introduction of a walking trail highlighting Glasgow's historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The council funded this trail, known as the 'City Stories' fund, with the aim of enhancing public understanding of the city's past and its enduring legacies.
When George Square reopens at the end of October, the statues and their associated information will be integrated into the 'Legacy of Slavery and Colonialism Trail.' The initial phase of this trail directs visitors through areas like the Merchant City, Trongate, and the Gallery of Modern Art, using plaques to convey Glasgow's history. This move echoes past controversies regarding plaques on monuments, such as the one on Edinburgh's Melville Monument honoring Henry Dundas. In 2023, descendants of Dundas replaced a plaque to provide a more accurate portrayal of his role in delaying the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade, noting that his actions resulted in the enslavement of over half a million Africans.
The City of Edinburgh council reinstated the altered plaque, stating its commitment to addressing the legacies of slavery and colonialism. Historically, Glasgow benefited significantly from industries like tobacco, sugar, and cotton during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Lisa Williams, founder of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, has advocated for better explanations of all monuments, questioning the rationale for retaining them in public spaces without clear historical context. She suggested complementing plaques with digital technology and new artworks to engage visitors more effectively.
In 2022, Glasgow City Council issued a public apology for the city's historical ties to the slave trade, following a report commissioned by the authority that identified buildings, monuments, and street names linked to individuals who profited from slavery. The report, known as the Glasgow Slavery Audit, was compiled by historian Dr. Stephen Mullen from Glasgow University to investigate the historical connections and contemporary legacies of the Atlantic slave trade. Council leader Susan Aitken stated at the time that Glasgow's history is deeply marked by the era of plantations.
Glasgow City Council emphasized that the decision to add historical interpretation to the statues is independent of the George Square redevelopment project, which began early last year and includes landscaping and lighting improvements. The square's reopening, initially planned for early September, was delayed until the end of October due to the discovery of previously uncharted underground services.