Diverse Heritage Mini-Library

As part of our Diverse Heritage project, we’re partnering with African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland, African and Caribbean Women’s Association, Bangladesh Association Glasgow and local community researcher Shani Whyte to promote books about the varied and rich heritage of Scotland’s many communities.

Descriptions of the books available for purchase are below. Proceeds will enable us and our partners to continue researching and celebrating Scotland’s diverse heritage. If you’re interested in purchasing a book, please email phoenix.archer@scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

One Life, Two Cultures

Author: African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland

Price: £14

Description: One Life, Two Cultures celebrates cultural diversity by collecting the experiences – both good and bad – of African and Caribbean Scots over the past 50 years. It establishes African and Caribbean peoples’ experiences as integral to Scottish and wider European society, bringing our voices to the forefront as our stories are told in our own words. The stories offer listeners new cultural perspectives and the ability to connect through shared commonalities.

New Shoots Old Roots

Author: African and Caribbean Women’s Association

Price: £19

Description: Street Level Photoworks, in collaboration with the African and Caribbean Women’s Association (ACWA), have launched the second volume of New Shoots Old Roots – a publication that captures African and Caribbean women’s experiences of coming to and living in Scotland from the 1950’s to the present day. The publication builds on the previous contributions to include 20 women’s experiences, adding to the rich narratives and tapestry of experiences that reflect African and Caribbean women in Scotland. This project is a creative collaboration reflecting on a significant part of Scotland’s history, the publication combines interview extracts with archive and contemporary photographs from the contributors over 150 pages.

Scotland’s Lascar Heritage

Price: £10

Author: Bangladesh Association Glasgow and Glasgow Museums Publishing

Description: In 1992 Glasgow Museums was given a cast iron plaque which had ‘LASCARS ONLY’ written on it in English and Bengali, rare evidence of the first South Asian community in Glasgow. For the last two years the Bangladesh Association Glasgow, Our Shared Cultural Heritage, and Glasgow Life Museums have been leading a research project to learn more about lascars – South Asian seamen – and their connections to Scotland. This book brings together contributions from many different perspectives, including in art and poetry, investigating and commemorating the lives of these mariners.

Tying the Tides: The Colour within the SS Great Britain

Price: £10

Author: Shani Whyte and SS Great Britain

Description: This book, written by local community researcher, Shani Whyte, highlights people of colour who either worked or travelled on board the SS Great Britain. Produced by the SS Great Britain Trust in collaboration with the Bridging Gaps Community Group, Tying the Tides is the result of a six-month-long research project. The project aimed to bring more diversity to museums, and Shani’s work has culminated in this concise yet fascinating book.