Forgotten Scottish pirates: Tales of treachery and treasure
From William Kidd to Helen Gloag, meet the daring Scots whose exploits rivalled the Caribbean’s most famous buccaneers.
Image: William Kidd is perhaps the most well-known Scottish pirate | Public Domain
Yar me hearties! It’s hard not to conjure up visions of the Caribbean, or notorious figures like Blackbeard, when we think of pirates. Maybe Johnny Depp’s rum-soaked Jack Sparrow comes to mind. Fun fact: English pirate John Ward, who later freelanced for the Ottoman Empire, was the inspiration for Jack Sparrow.
But somewhere beyond the tales of buccaneers like Blackbeard and Jack Sparrow, there’s a hidden chapter: the Scottish pirates. Here’s a closer look at the forgotten seafarers and their legacies.
William Kidd – villain or scapegoat?
Captain William Kidd is perhaps the most well-known Scottish pirate, though his story is clouded by controversy. Born in Dundee in 1654, Kidd started as a privateer — essentially a government-sanctioned pirate. His job? To serve the interests of the British Crown against French and Spanish ships. Things took a dark turn when he was accused of piracy after allegedly attacking an East India Company vessel. It was a misstep that led to his trial and execution on the banks of the River Thames in London.
Here's where things get interesting. Some historians argue that Kidd was more scapegoat than pirate, caught in a political web that saw British officials unfairly point the finger at him to protect themselves. His last words—'I have nothing to say except that I have been sworn against by perjured and wicked people'—potentially speak volumes about what really happened to that East India Company ship.
John Gow – the Orkney pirate
John Gow’s brief but brutal career as a pirate brought terror to the coasts of Scotland and beyond. He was born in Orkney in the late 1600s and served as a merchant sailor before turning to piracy. In 1724 he seized control of a ship he rechristened Revenge, using it to raid English and Scottish ships with impunity. His luck ran out when he attempted a return to Orkney. There, he was captured, tried and ultimately hanged in London.
Alexander Dalzeel – a savage reputation
If there was a Scotsman who truly embodied the ruthlessness associated with piracy, it was Alexander Dalzeel. Like other Scottish pirates, the Glaswegian served in the navy before becoming a mercenary for the Barbary corsairs, North African pirates who operated from bases in the Mediterranean. He eventually took up piracy for himself, terrorising ships from England to Spain. Savagery was his middle name — he gained a reputation for throwing captives overboard and torturing prisoners without mercy.
Thomas Tew – Scotland’s connection to the Pirate Round
While not a Scot by birth, Thomas Tew’s ties to Scotland run through his ancestors, and he played a part in shaping the infamous Pirate Round — a route between the American colonies and the Indian Ocean that would later attract notorious pirates like Blackbeard and Henry Every. Tew was a privateer who eventually threw in his 'government job' and turned to full-blown piracy. His specialty? Capturing ships laden with treasure from the Mughal Empire.
If you’re a fan of the Uncharted video game series, you’ve likely already heard of Thomas Tew. Both Tew and another legendary pirate — Henry Avery — feature throughout the story of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Helen Gloag – the Scottish ‘Pirate Queen’ of Morocco
Perthshire lass Helen Gloag, who began her journey not as a pirate but as a captive, is one of the most intriguing figures in Scottish pirate lore. In the late 18th century she was captured by Barbary pirates on her way to the Caribbean. Instead of suffering the grim fate of captives like Miguel de Cervantes (who was held prisoner for five years) she became the concubine — and later the favourite wife — of the Sultan of Morocco.
Gloag wasn’t a pirate in the traditional sense, but her rise to influence within the Barbary corsairs, and her sway over Moroccan affairs, earned her status in Scottish lore.
Why aren’t Scottish pirates as well-known?
So, why do these Scottish pirates remain relatively unknown compared to their English or Caribbean counterparts? The answer lies partly in location and partly in storytelling. Much of the popular image of pirates comes from the ‘Golden Age of Piracy' narrative, which is heavily focused on the Caribbean and Atlantic routes. Scottish pirates, who preferred to terrorise the North Sea, Mediterranean and Barbary Coast, fall outside this geographical focus.
Scotland’s own history of maritime conflicts with England and European nations also meant that many pirates were viewed as mercenaries or privateers, rather than romanticised rogues. This could help explain why pirates like John Gow don’t enjoy the same fame as other Scotsmen like William Wallace, aka Braveheart.
The lack of Scottish pirates in popular culture also plays a role. While English pirates like Blackbeard have been immortalised in books, films and folklore, few Scottish pirates achieved the same fictionalised fame. As a result, Scotland’s contributions to pirate lore remain underexplored.
Remembering Scotland’s lost legends
Scotland’s pirate history might not fit the classic mould, but its characters were just as daring, ruthless and resourceful as any. From John Gow’s raids to Helen Gloag’s rise in the Barbary world, these stories highlight a forgotten chapter in the chronicles of piracy, waiting to be rediscovered.
