Frederick Douglass in Scotland
@fd-scotland.bsky.social
Frederick Douglass' visit to Scotland 1846 and related matters, based on my book, published by Edinburgh University Press in 2018. https://www.bulldozia.com/douglass-in-scotland/the-book/ Posts by @bulldozia.com #SlaveryArchive
Douglass' visit was commemorated by a plaque placed on the site of the church in February 2023. 5/5
November 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Douglass' visit was commemorated by a plaque placed on the site of the church in February 2023. 5/5
After the meeting, Douglass stayed at the home of John Wigham, Jr. and Sarah Wigham (née Nicholson) at 10 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh 5/5
October 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
After the meeting, Douglass stayed at the home of John Wigham, Jr. and Sarah Wigham (née Nicholson) at 10 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh 5/5
Of a prominent Scottish clergyman, Douglass said he appeared to be 'one of those men who would not confine slavery to the Blacks, if he found it serve his purpose to extend it to the Whites.' 3/4
September 28, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Of a prominent Scottish clergyman, Douglass said he appeared to be 'one of those men who would not confine slavery to the Blacks, if he found it serve his purpose to extend it to the Whites.' 3/4
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit.
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit.
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit.
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Robertson's home was at 33 Gilmore Place where a Historic Environment Scotland plaque now commemorates Douglass's visit.
But he saved his most powerful invective for the Paisley Free Church minister John MacNaughtan who had patronised him on several occasions, playing expertly with the Christian rhetoric of universal siblinghood.
![[from scan of newspaper report] '... be with the slave. (Cheers.) Why brother Macnaughtan. (Great laughter.) Why, he is my brother. (Laughter.) You look as if I were claiming an unnatural connection. I will tell you candidly Mr. Macnaughtan is my brother, and yet Mr. Macnaughtan would strike hands with men who would reduce his brother to slavery. Is it not strange - passing strange - unnatural for a brother to strike hands in christian fellowship with men who would reduce his own brother to slavery. (Great applause.) True, yet Mr. Macnaughtan is my brother. (Laughter.) Brother Macnaughtan went to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and there poured out his vials of wrath on the head of George Thompson, Henry C. Wright, and last on the head of his brother Frederick Douglass. (Applause and laughter.) He was said to have replied most successfully to the arguments we used at Edinburgh, and the newspaper came out and characterised his address as being a brilliant vindication of the truth, and a successful reply to the arguments at Edinburgh. (Laughter.). Brother don't always like to meet brother. He ....'](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tpz6r37mynba57hb4rkbragg/bafkreic5zx3tqwhnnc5ldddpjmhke5xfmm4sh2aaoascgk7ei7t54lkhcq@jpeg)
September 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
But he saved his most powerful invective for the Paisley Free Church minister John MacNaughtan who had patronised him on several occasions, playing expertly with the Christian rhetoric of universal siblinghood.
Castlehead Church, Paisley, formerly West Relief Church
April 25, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Castlehead Church, Paisley, formerly West Relief Church
The former Exchange Rooms on Moss Street today.
April 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
The former Exchange Rooms on Moss Street today.
On the site of the former Secession Church in the village is a memorial plaque installed by the Fenwick Weavers' Co-operative. It is possibly the first such memorial of Douglass' visit to Scotland, at least ten years' old.
![Blue plaque headed 'The Secession Church', installed in front of a hedge. It depicts the old manse and church, separated by a silhouette of Frederick Douglass, with three columns of text below.. At the top is the logo of the 'Fenwick Weavers' Co-operative 1761', and in the bottom right are the logos of funders, including that of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The inscription reads:
The Secession Church [heading].
In the 18th and early 19th Centuries, the Presbyterian Church in Scotland was torn apart by splits and factionalism. A number of new churches were created, one of which was the United Secession Church, formed in 1820. A parish of the United Secession Church was set up on this site in Fenwick, with many of the Weavers as members.
The United Secession Church was home to radicals and the Fenwick parish was no different. In 1846, they invited Frederick Douglass, an anti-slave trade campaigner, to speak in the church. Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 and escaped in 1838. He became one of the foremost anti-slavery campaigners and, during his visit to Britain, his supporters were so impressed by his oratory that they banded together to purchase his freedom. Now regarded as one of the father figures in the black anti-slavery movement, President Barack Obama has said that Douglass is one of his greatest heroes.
The Frederick Douglass Society in America maintain and record information about Douglass's life. They were aware of his visit to Scotland, but not that he had visited Fenwick. An approach from the modern Fenwick Weavers' Co-operative brought this to their attention and consequently Fenwick has been added to the role of honour in the Frederick Douglass Society.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tpz6r37mynba57hb4rkbragg/bafkreiawl4tjznjn44jacrcznr24vz3puns4yue2qatz5uqxmblkygrmfa@jpeg)
April 4, 2025 at 8:58 PM
On the site of the former Secession Church in the village is a memorial plaque installed by the Fenwick Weavers' Co-operative. It is possibly the first such memorial of Douglass' visit to Scotland, at least ten years' old.
I think this is where the church was, photo taken on Third Avenue in February this year.
April 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I think this is where the church was, photo taken on Third Avenue in February this year.
The custom house, Bowling, where Frederick Douglass spent the night on 30 March, 1846, before heading off to address an antislavery meeting at the Relief Church in Bonhill.
March 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The custom house, Bowling, where Frederick Douglass spent the night on 30 March, 1846, before heading off to address an antislavery meeting at the Relief Church in Bonhill.
The former George Hotel.
March 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The former George Hotel.
The Laigh Kirk today.
March 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The Laigh Kirk today.
He spoke at the George Hotel (now a furniture showroom), Clerk's Lane Chapel (on the site of what is now Kilmarnock Bus Station) and the Low Church (or Laigh Kirk).
March 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
He spoke at the George Hotel (now a furniture showroom), Clerk's Lane Chapel (on the site of what is now Kilmarnock Bus Station) and the Low Church (or Laigh Kirk).
While in Ayr, Douglass met Burns’ 80-year old sister, Isabella, ‘a spirited looking woman who bids fair to live yet many days.’ Here captured by early photographers Robert Adamson & David Octavius Hill (www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-arti...)
March 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
While in Ayr, Douglass met Burns’ 80-year old sister, Isabella, ‘a spirited looking woman who bids fair to live yet many days.’ Here captured by early photographers Robert Adamson & David Octavius Hill (www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-arti...)
The building stands today, though no longer a place of worship.
March 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The building stands today, though no longer a place of worship.
The church was located just across from the more imposing Abbey, beside the river.
March 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The church was located just across from the more imposing Abbey, beside the river.
The church building is no more but traces of the graveyard are still visible next to the Town Hall.
March 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The church building is no more but traces of the graveyard are still visible next to the Town Hall.
And the third at the Thistle Hall on Bridge Street, now a commercial business.
February 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
And the third at the Thistle Hall on Bridge Street, now a commercial business.
The first two meetings were at Henry Hyslop's Chapel at the corner of Market St and John St, where the building still stands, though no longer a church.
February 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The first two meetings were at Henry Hyslop's Chapel at the corner of Market St and John St, where the building still stands, though no longer a church.
And at the Abbey Church up the road. The spire and more elaborate frontage was added later, but the hall at the rear was where the meetings of 11 and 12 February took place.
February 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
And at the Abbey Church up the road. The spire and more elaborate frontage was added later, but the hall at the rear was where the meetings of 11 and 12 February took place.
He spoke at the Trades Hall, a building which still stands on the High Street.
February 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
He spoke at the Trades Hall, a building which still stands on the High Street.
It is not known how much of the original building survives as part of what is now the Nethergate Medical Centre.
February 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
It is not known how much of the original building survives as part of what is now the Nethergate Medical Centre.