Inverclyde's MSP wants Greenock's historic sugar sheds to be transformed into a Scottish slavery museum

Stuart McMillan has called for a 'National Museum of Human Rights' to be established at the waterfront site to educate people about Scotland’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Parts of Inverclyde, particularly Greenock, have strong links to the trade through the sugar and tobacco industries.

Local addresses named in reference to it include Jamaica Street, Togo Place, Tobago Street and Virginia Street.

Even Greenock’s most famous son, James Watt, has connections to the slave trade.

The issue of Inverclyde's links to the trade have been highlighted recently, after the Black Lives Matter movement took centre stage amid global protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody in the United States.

Mr McMillan says Inverclyde, in common with Glasgow and Edinburgh, profited from the trade in human misery and he believes that the sheds at James Watt Dock would be an ideal location for the country to acknowledge a shameful aspect of its past.

He has written to the First Minister with his suggestion for a new museum based in Greenock.

Mr McMillan said: “For too long we have cherry-picked parts of our history that don’t demonstrate the full extent of our nation’s involvement in the slave trade or the Empire.

“Greenock’s historical links as well as the use of a building involved in the sugar trade would be an ideal location for a museum giving a fuller account of our history – particularly the darker aspects that too many of us know little about.

“The debate has started about how Scotland owns and addresses its past.

"The educational benefits of a Museum of Human Rights would provide an exceptional opportunity for all of Scotland to visit and learn, in addition to the many thousands who visit the area annually from the cruise ships that dock locally."

The sheds date to 1886 and they are a listed building with category A status representing the largest surviving cast-iron and brick industrial building in the country.

Apart from being used as a venue during the Tall Ships race visit in 2011 the sheds have been lying idle for over a decade after being made wind and watertight following the damage caused by a huge fire in 2006.

Almost £4m was spent on the project but subsequent development plans foundered.

Mr McMillan said: “There have been many suggestions over the years about how the sheds should be used but the current debate provides the perfect opportunity for this historic building to play its part.

“Inverclyde’s history is Scotland’s history, for good and bad.

"Inverclyde’s links to the slave trade and the merchants who profited at human misery sadly are intertwined with other parts of Scotland.

“If Scotland now wants to own up to and accept this part of our past, as well as events like the Highland Clearances, a National Museum of Human Rights would be a step in the right direction.

"As well as being of historical significance, it will be educational for future generations and will provide a keynote facility for people to visit.

“I look forward to the campaign progressing and for the suggestion to gather momentum.”