The earliest students with links to the Bahamas were typically Scots looking to pursue opportunities in the military, the church or trade and commerce.

The first student of the University who travelled to the Bahamas was John Halkett. There he had a prolific career in the governing of the West Indies, and was Governor of the Bahamas from 1801 to 1804.

Also notable among the early travellers was Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hope Pattison who had a similarly prolific career in the military, serving in the Peninsular War under the soon to be first Duke of Wellington before later becoming the Commander of the Troops in the Bahamas.

In the 20th century a new pattern emerged where Bahamians came to Glasgow in order to study at the University, reflecting the continuing but changing relationship between the two nations over the course of history. Among these students was the renowned surgeon, Ira Earle Farrington who became the first certified general and consultant surgeon in the Bahamas and Carlton E Francis who, after a long career in education, became a member of the Bahamian parliament during which time he headed several ministry positions.

The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973 and evidence of a Scottish heritage still remains. Indeed many place names are Scottish in origin and the Bahamas even has a certified tartan.