The Life, Times and Legacy of David Hume Project
It started with questions and conversations driven by a desire to understand more. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project was undertaken in 2025 and sought to better understand the Life, Times and Legacy of David Hume - what might have influenced him to write the infamous racist footnote.
Working with partners, we wove together learning opportunities inspired by curiosity around Hume and the footnote, using creativity to start conversations so we could learn from each other. Read more about the different stages of the project below.
Do people want to learn from the past?
Do people care about history? Find out what people think of Hume, the Enlightenment and learning from Scotland’s past.
Bruce Fummey: Does history have a colour?
Hear Scottish comedian Bruce Fummey discuss the Enlightenment in shades of grey. Find out how Adam Smith and square sausage connected.
How does Scotland’s past shape its present?
How can we learn more from each other and our shared histories? Who decides what stories are remembered? Should everyone be a philosopher?
Celebrating Conversation and Critical Thinking
Listen to the recording of our final event with Tommy Curry and Irene Mosota which celebrates curiosity and conversation and challenges everyone to keep this going in the months and years ahead.