In the mid 18th, mid 19th and early 20th centuries, Scotland witnessed a significant exodus of its people. Thousands of Scots emigrated to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and many others countries.
Several factors contributed to this massive population movement. Firstly, the “Highland Clearances” (between 1750 and 1860) played a pivotal role. During this period, highlanders were forcibly evicted from their ancestral crofts by landowners to make way for more lucrative sheep farming. While some historians view the Highland Clearances as an act of genocide, others argue that they were simply an inevitable consequence of economic change, albeit often implemented cruelly.
The impact of the Highland Clearances was further compounded by the Lowland Clearances (1760–1830). These clearances, driven by the mechanisation of lowland farms, led to a migration from rural areas to urban centres in Scotland,.
Another significant factor in Scottish migration was population growth. Scotland’s census data revealed a steady increase in its population. Between 1801 and 1851, the population rose from 1,608,420 to 2,889,000, and by 1901, it had reached 4,472,000. Despite being at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, which led to the growth of heavy industry, Scotland faced a challenge in providing sufficient employment for its rapidly expanding population.
As a result, between 1841 and 1931, approximately two million Scots migrated to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other destinations. This migration continued into the 20th century, with an estimated 400,000 Scots, representing around 10% of the population, leaving the country between 1921 and 1931.
The Last of the Clan (Thomas Faed, 1865) depicts clan members forced off their crofts bidding farewell to family members embarking on a transatlantic voyage to the new world.
Scots in Australia:
The 2021 Australian census revealed that 130,060 Australian residents were born in Scotland, with approximately 2,176,777 (around 8.6% of the Australian population) claiming Scottish ancestry.
Scots in Canada:
Nearly five million Canadians, comprising around 15% of the country’s total population, identify as having full or partial Scottish heritage.
Scots in New Zealand:
It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million New Zealanders possess Scottish ancestry, which accounts for approximately 20% of the country’s original European settlers.
Scots in America:
A significant number of Scots crossed the Atlantic in search of fame and fortune in the United States. Today, it is estimated that 10% of the US population has Scottish roots. Among the 47 Presidents of the United States, 34 have Scottish ancestry, including Washington, Roosevelt, Trump, and Clinton. Many other Scots made notable contributions to American society, such as Alexander Graham Bell, Andrew Carnegie, John Muir, and Allan Pinkerton.
Famous Americans with Scottish Roots
