John R. Ashton MBE (1917–2008) was an English writer, lecturer, local historian and educationist active in Sweden.

Trade across the North Sea, especially in iron-bars and timber, has for nearly three hundred years been of vast importance in the growth of the port of Gothenburg.

The story of the lives and livelihoods of members of the Barclays, David Carnegie, Chalmers, Sir William Chambers, Chapman, James Dickson, John Hall, Gibson and Keiller families – to name but a few – is told against a backdrop of major historical events in Europe.

In the 17th century, the supplying of hemp, tar, masts, deals and iron to the Royal Navy was a profitable trade for the Scottish merchants in the port of Gothenburg.

In 1731, the Swedish East India Company was founded and owed its initial success to the experience in the China trade of Colin Campbell.