Scottish Trade With Spain in the 1770s: The Progress of Carron Company and the Growth of Spanish Naval Power

Abstract

The establishment of a Royal Naval Dockyard in Ferrol (Spain) favoured engagement in international activities and hence the development of useful connections with other European cities and towns. This article examines trade links between Scotland and Spain through the port of Ferrol during the 1770s, with particular emphasis on the British press and on Scottish customs accounts. Both data sources were used to address three research questions. First, what were the policies and mechanisms of this trade? Second, how important was this trade in terms of the industrial needs of Spain? Third, did this trade have any effect on economic development? The findings provide insight into Scottish industrial history and the relationship between the economy and political spheres during periods of war. They also reveal historical narratives that shed light on the supply of weaponry to Ferrol and the customs administration related to this trade.