This failed mega project changed the course of Scottish history. It was a plan, conceived in the 1690’s, for the Kingdom of Scotland to build a colony in Panama. They also wanted to build an overland route connecting the pacific and Atlantic Oceans to make them a huge trading power.

They were backed by approximately 20% of all the money circulating in Scotland at the time, which accounts to billions today.

However, poor planning, bad management, English/Spanish attacks and disease caused the plan to fail. The project was abandoned in 1700. This resulted in Scotland becoming impoverished and allowed England to take over the country.