Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we turn our attention to the remarkable and tragic story of Major Alexander Gordon Laing, the first European to reach Timbuktu from the north. On September 26, 1826, Laing’s life came to a sudden and violent end, just weeks after accomplishing a feat many had long believed impossible.

Born in Edinburgh on December 27, 1794, Laing was raised in an intellectual household. His father, William Laing, was a private teacher of classical studies, and Alexander was groomed for a life of scholarship. However, adventure called him far from Scotland’s scholarly circles, and by the time he was a young man, he had found his way to the distant shores of Barbados.

Laing’s early military career began in the British colonial forces, starting in Barbados in 1811. He obtained a commission in the York Light Infantry Volunteers in 1813 and, through determination, rose through the ranks. His military service took him to the West Indies, Sierra Leone, and deep into West Africa. By 1822, he had joined the Royal African Colonial Corps, where he was sent on several significant expeditions. It was here that his thirst for exploration began to take root. Laing conducted geographic and trade missions in the interior of Africa, searching for the source of the Niger River and striving to open new trade routes while helping to combat the scourge of the slave trade. These early expeditions, though successful, were only precursors to the journey that would define his legacy—his trek to the fabled city of Timbuktu.

At the time, Timbuktu held near-mythical status in European imagination. The city, which had been a thriving center of Islamic culture and trade since the 14th century, was believed to be filled with untold riches. European explorers had long dreamed of reaching it, but none had survived the perilous journey through the Sahara Desert.

In 1825, Laing set out on what would become his final expedition, supported by influential patrons such as Joseph Banks and Henry Bathurst, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies. His mission was to reach Timbuktu and gather vital information on the hydrography of the Niger River basin. Laing’s journey began in Tripoli in February 1825, and just before he set out across the Sahara, he married Emma Warrington, the daughter of the British consul in Tripoli. It was a bittersweet moment, as Laing knew his journey into the desert was fraught with danger.

He crossed the unforgiving Sahara in the company of a sheikh, and although the sheikh was later accused of plotting against him, Laing pushed forward. The trek was grueling, and Laing faced multiple attacks by Tuareg tribesmen who plundered his caravan, wounding him in 24 places and nearly taking his life. Despite these severe injuries and the loss of much of his supplies, Laing survived and pressed on, arriving in Timbuktu on August 18, 1826. His letters described his harrowing ordeal but also his success in reaching the city—making him the first European to do so from the north.

However, Laing’s triumph was short-lived. The political situation in Timbuktu was precarious, and the city's ruler, a Fula chieftain named Bello, was openly hostile to foreigners. Laing’s position became increasingly dangerous, and after spending only 38 days in the city, he decided to leave on September 24, 1826. His fate was sealed shortly after departing Timbuktu. Laing was murdered by his Arab escorts in the desert, mere days after setting out. His body was never recovered, and all of his notes and findings were lost.

The exact circumstances of his death remain shrouded in mystery. Some speculated that his murder may have been orchestrated by those who sought to prevent him from sharing Timbuktu’s secrets. Others suggested the involvement of French agents, as France was also keen on reaching Timbuktu and asserting influence over West Africa. However, no conclusive evidence of such a conspiracy ever emerged.

Laing’s widow, Emma, received the devastating news of his death, but his accomplishments would not go unrecognized. In 1903, the French government placed a plaque on the house where Laing stayed during his brief time in Timbuktu, commemorating his daring achievement. Despite his tragic end, Laing’s journey paved the way for future explorers. Just two years after his death, Frenchman René Caillié reached Timbuktu and returned to tell the tale, claiming the Société de Géographie’s prize for the feat.

Laing’s legacy is a testament to the spirit of exploration and discovery, despite the inherent risks. His journey exemplifies the dangerous and often deadly pursuit of knowledge that defined European exploration of Africa in the 19th century. Today, we remember Major Alexander Gordon Laing not only for his bravery and tenacity but for being a trailblazer who sought to connect distant cultures and uncover the hidden geography of Africa.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Join us next time for another story from the annals of Scotland’s past. Until then, Haste Ye Back!

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