Encouragement and Opportunities for Scottish Emigration

Various factors encouraged Scots to emigrate:

1. Letters from relatives who had already moved abroad
2. Promises of cheap land, especially in Canada
3. Active recruitment by foreign governments

Highlight: The Canadian government appointed agents in Scotland to promote emigration at markets, fairs, and agricultural shows.

Developments in transportation made emigration easier:

• The shift from sail to steam reduced journey times from 6 weeks to 1 week

The promise of wealth attracted many Scots:

• Gold discovery in Australia in the 1850s
• Demand for skilled Scottish workers worldwide
• Career opportunities in various fields, such as medicine and government service in India

Example: Granite workers from Scotland were sought after globally for construction projects.

Impact of Scots on the Empire: India

Scots played crucial roles in India's development under British rule:

• Involvement in the East India Company
• Development of tea plantations and the jute industry
• Many Governor Generals were of Scottish origin

Highlight: James Andrew Brown-Ramsay, the 1st Marquess of Dalhousie, implemented significant reforms in India, including banning practices like Suttee and Thuggee.

Key contributions by Scottish administrators:

• Built telegraph communication and national postal systems
• Promoted female education, leading to the establishment of girls' schools
• Developed infrastructure plans connecting major regions of India

Example: The famous Lipton tea brand originated from Scottish involvement in Indian tea plantations.

Irish Immigration to Scotland

Irish Catholics:

• Initially viewed as strike-breakers and accused of keeping wages low
• Faced discrimination and were blamed for being 'benefit scroungers'
• Established their own churches, schools, and organizations
• Often took less skilled jobs
• Experienced increased discrimination as the Scottish economy collapsed in the 1920s and 1930s

Highlight: Many Irish Catholics came to Scotland in poverty and became isolated as Scots were repelled by their presence.

Irish Protestants:

• Found easier assimilation due to shared religion with most Scots
• Generally more skilled than Irish Catholics, earning more respect from Scots
• Included professionals such as doctors, engineers, and scientists

Example: The experience of Italian immigrants in Scotland differed significantly from that of Irish immigrants, with Italians facing less discrimination but maintaining stronger cultural ties to their homeland.