A special plaque has been put up in memory of Scotland’s first Black Member of Parliament, Peter McLagan.
McLagan was first elected to represent Linlithgowshire in 1865 and served until 1893, making him West Lothian’s second longest serving MP after Tam Dalyell.
The plaque will be permanently mounted in council chambers at West Lothian Civic Centre, and was recently unveiled along with special interpretation panels telling McLagan’s fascinating life story during Black History Month in October.
Provost Cathy Muldoon said: “It’s fantastic to see this permanent tribute to Peter McLagan put in place in West Lothian. We hope this will encourage more people to learn about McLagan’s interesting life and achievements, and inspire more West Lothian residents from minority backgrounds to consider standing for election to represent their area.”
Silence Chihuri, co-chair of the West Lothian Legacy of Chattel Slavery Working Group, added: “Celebrating Peter McLagan in this way gives significance to the contribution of Black people to the development of West Lothian.”
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