Reasons for the migration of the Scots Flashcards
Give six push factors that were reasons for migration from the highlands
Highland clearances- highlanders evicted by landlords- crofters cleared off land to make way for Sheep
Poverty- population growing subdivision of land into crofts over generations- land could not support number of people
Hunger- subsistence farming- harvest bad people starved- potato famine 1840s

High rents- rents increased- some moved away to do seasonal work harvesting in lowlands-to pay for rent periods worked away from home increased
Failure of kelp industry kelp trade collapsed- when are cheaper alternative was found abroad
Decline of the herring industry after Russian revolution cut off export trade with Eastern Europe
Give five push factors which caused Scots to migrate from the lowlands
Enclosures men less opportunity for young male farmers to own their land
Changes in farming meant fewer farm jobs- mechanised reaper binders meant fewer workers were needed
Decline of some country based craft industries- railways meant many people could now travel to towns to purchase goods- fewer jobs in countryside
Employment conditions on land were hard- weather, few holidays, hard work
Squalid poor quality housing in countryside- young farm labourers often lived in bothies- shared accommodation
Give four pull factors from the countryside to the towns for the migration of Scots
Job opportunities in lowland towns- coalmines,railway navvies, textile mills -
wages higher
Changes in transport- railways meant that travel to other parts of the country was easier
Attraction of big city- employment easier working life factory work indoors with set hours possibly higher wages - shop work offers half days
Social attractions of town- cinemas ,theatres, football matches ,pubs, dance halls

Give examples of Opportunities which attracted Scots to other lands
Emigration agents- toured countryside gave illustrated talks in village halls
New Zealand Australia Canadian authorities offered free and assisted passages to people with skills
Newspaper advertised benefits of emigration
Government schemes to assist emigration Highlands and Islands emigration society
Opportunities to own land Canada advertised free cheap fertile contrast Scotland
Friends and family immigrated sent letters encouraging to follow money tickets also
Scottish community is established Otago New Zealand feel at home- Presbyterian church
Plenty of job opportunities skilled professional escorts handloom weavers Scotland skills appreciated in Canada but out of work in Scotland due to power loom
Transport revolution railways steamships immigration easy journey time reduced
Give examples of factors which forced people to leave Scotland from the highlands
Failure of potato crop
Poverty- subsistence existence- just enough grown to survive- crop failed- starvation +Increased rent
Highland clearances- landlords financial difficulties increased income- increased rents evicted people for sheep farms
Effects of industrialisation- handloom weavers put out of business by power loom
Decline in herring fishing industry- Russian revolution collapse of eastern European trade
Collapse of kelp industry- cheaper source overseas

Give examples of factors which force people to leave Scotland from the lowlands
Working conditions on low land farms- hard little chance of owning land, poor wages, long hours, squalid housing ( bothies)
Slum conditions in towns- overcrowding disease- cholera
Scotland was a low wage economy- Lower than England- newer consumer industries in England in 1930s
Employment insecurity in cities- Periodic unemployment from trade more acute in Scotland as economy depended on export markets
Economic slump at end of WW1- forced to emigrate- unemployment rose
