Scottish links with Malawi go much deeper than tales of Dr Livingstone

A new study has found that more than 100,000 Scots have a direct link with the nation, writes Chris Mccall

It is the south-eastern African nation that welcomed Dr David Livingstone more than 150 years ago and would later build a city named after his home village in South Lanarkshire.

Now a new study by the University of Edinburgh has revealed the extent of the contemporary links between Scotland and Malawi.

There are now 109,000 Scots actively involved with Malawi links. This includes the many who have visited the country, often through school partnerships, or those involved in organisations which raise funds or support specific projects in the country.

The report found that Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP) members now contribute more than £49 million in financial and in-kind inputs to their Malawi links, up 24 per cent in the last four years.

It was published to coincide with the visit to Edinburgh yesterday of the Malawian president, Professor Peter Mutharika.

The leader was welcomed to the City Chambers by Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish Government’s secretary for external affairs, and members of the SMP.

Prof Mutharika spoke of recent progress being made in the country, which is ranked as one of the least developed in the world, and his commitment to investing in infrastructure improvements.

“Our economy is beginning to recover. If you come back, you will find a new Malawi,” he said. “If you have not been to Malawi, it is time you paid a visit.

“Wewantyoutobepartofour story.”

The friendship between Scots and Malawians stretches back to 1859 with the warm welcome extended to Dr David Livingstone and his companions when he entered what is now Malawi.

The Church of Scotland has retained a strong influence in the country in south-eastern Africa ever since, with Prof Mutharika among the many Malawians who have attended a Kirk-run school.

David Hope-jones, SMP chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome the president and show him first-hand the energy and enthusiasm in Scotland’s friendship with Malawi. It is wonderful to see this report confirming more Scots are engaged in a Malawi link.”

0 The president in Edinburgh