A NEW book which sets out almost 100 places and people in Inverclyde connected to the translantic slave trade is a major step forward in the campaign to recognise our own past says the area's MSP.

Stuart McMillan wants to see the Sugar Sheds in Greenock turned into a national museum reflecting on slavery and human rights through the ages.

He has now welcomed the new title Glasgow, the Clyde and Slavery, by Stenlake Publishing, which focuses on heritage and history in towns like Greenock and Port Glasgow.

From Finlaystone Estate to Wemyss Bay and places in between it features details of many 18th and 19th landowners, traders and merchants who made their fortunes on the backs of enslaved people.

Mr McMillan said: "I think the important thing is to recognise our connections and our links to the slave trade.

"This book helps with that. 

"This is something that we very much need to see and I welcome this.

"I think it is important that we 'own' what happened and that people are aware of the meaning behind street names and statues."

The book, produced 'to recognise the growing awareness and soul searching around the legacy of that period' looks at every town and area in Inverclyde.

It covers Finlaystone House, which was succeeded to Robert Cunninghame in 1796, 26 years after his return from Jamaica where he was 'a slave-owner, landowner, planter, politician and public servant'.

He was later followed by Greenock-based Caribbean tobacco merchant Archibald Campbell.

The book also sets out the many local street names linked to slavery including Jamaica Street, after the place where many local landowners and merchants had plantations.

Glasgow the Clyde and Slavery also reflects on slave ships leaving from Greenock and Port Glasgow. It is believed that between 1759 and 1766 there were eleven voyages from Greenock carrying 1,836 people who were sold into slavery.

From Port Glasgow there were five voyages between 1717 and 1762, with 654 Africans on board.

It also highlights how Greenock was the main exporter of salted herring, which was sent to the West Indies to feed enslaved people.

Meanwhile Mr McMillan says he continues to press his case for Greenock to be the home of a museum focusing on slavery.

He said: "I think the Sugar Sheds would be an ideal place for a national museum and I continue to make the case. I recently raised it with the First Minister."