AHC/WI: Scots' Colonialism is More Successful

The Scots tried their hand at starting a colonial empire for themselves on the Isthmus of Darien (today in Panama). Unfortunately, no one except the Scots themselves was allowed to back the scheme (since investors from Hamburg and Amsterdam were forced out on legal grounds by the Honorable East India Company). Equally bad for them was the location that they had chosen - which was in the Spanish viceroyalty of New Grenada - since the English king didn't want to offend the Spanish, he gave it only lukewarm support, and banned the American colonies et al from trading with the Scots' colony.

Eventually, the scheme folded, Scotland (and its aristocracy) was bankrupted, and the bankruptcy became a driving force behind the Act of Union.

Your challenge is to find a way that the colony can survive (maybe even expand). Personally, I think not letting Alex Campbell of Foban be taken sick in January 1700 after the capture of Toubancanti is a good POD.
 
A better plan: maybe don't settle Scots in Panama?

Instead, continue trading along the Gold Coast, which was fairly profitable.
 
I've always wondered, even if it was more successful (Darien that is), what would have been the Spanish reaction to it? Was it not in territory claimed by the Spanish Empire?
 
I've always wondered, even if it was more successful (Darien that is), what would have been the Spanish reaction to it? Was it not in territory claimed by the Spanish Empire?

The Spanish did end up besieging the Scottish colony, though disease ended up slaughtering everyone on both sides... That's malaria for ya. :p

I agree with Faeelin. Anywhere but Panama would've been a brighter idea for a Scottish colonial empire. A longer lasting Nova Scotia's always an idea, but the French weren't happy about that. Maybe a stronger alliance between France and Scotland over concerns that England is beelining towards Canada might change that? The French could allow a Scottish presence there so long as it kept a check on English ambitions.
 
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