Strong and ancient links with Burma

Published on Friday 5 September 2008 22:52

SCOTLAND has long had strong links with Burma, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Paul Strachan would like to see a revival in that relationship.

He described Burma as "the great Scottish colony", the area carved up by four Scottish companies and run by Scots.

Many early travellers on Mr Strachan's Pandaw vessels – the first of which was a Clyde-built steamer – were elderly passengers with connections to Burma, he said.

"There's this amazing Scottish connection, and Burma is well remembered here in Scotland," Mr Strachan said.

"Deep down, Burma is lurking in Scottish people's minds. It would be wonderful on a cultural level to see a revival in Scottish interest in Burma.

There's this other side to Burma with a rich culture that people are missing out on. Culture is a great way to build bridges."

After Cyclone Nargis struck in May, the Scottish Government immediately backed the Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal and encouraged all Scots to do the same.