Why did Scottish people immigrate to Australia?

Answer 1

Poverty, famine and epidemics in Scotland in the 1820s and 1830s caused the first significant Scottish emigration to Australia. Victoria was the most popular colony in which to settle. Scottish squatters and rural workers established farms, and urban settlers worked as skilled artisans and professionals.

In the first Victorian census of 1854, Scotland-born people were the third largest group after the English and Irish, with 36,044 people. Within three years a further 17,000 had arrived, many hoping to make their fortunes on the goldfields. Immigration assistance schemes also swelled the number of Scottish arrivals. By 1861 the Scotland-born population of Victoria reached 60,701 -- the highest level it would ever reach.

As the gold rush declined, many Scottish immigrants moved on to farming, industry or commerce. Growing community organisations such as Presbyterian churches and highland societies provided a focus for social and cultural activities.

In the early 20th century, assistance schemes for British immigrants promoted Scottish immigration. By the 1940s, recession and war affected Scotland's economy, prompting increasing numbers to emigrate. The Scotland-born community in Victoria grew from 23,442 in 1947 -- its lowest level since the early years of white settlement -- to 41,923 by 1966.

In the decades that followed, fewer Scotland-born people chose to settle in Victoria. By 2006, the community numbered 29,853, although those with Scottish ancestry make up a far greater proportion of the Victorian population.

The community today is relatively old, with over one third aged over 65. Almost 70% are Christian, half of whom identify with Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Over one third of those working are employed in professional roles; many others work in trades, production and transport.

Reflecting the long history of the Scottish community in Victoria, their population today is spread across urban and rural areas, with concentrations in Geelong, Bendigo, Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula. Scottish customs and folklore are maintained through Caledonian Societies and Highland Games, church activities, and organisations such as the Victorian Scottish Union, Council of Clans and the Victorian Pipe Band Association.

Answer 2

During the 19th century, poverty meant people had to leave Scotland for NZ as well as Australia and North America. They believed they could start a better life abroad in these 'new' countries. The Highland Clearances meant that a lot of Scottish people were forced from their homes in Scotland and many of them left Britain for this reason. They were told they could own land and property in the colony countries whereas in Britain things were pretty bleak.

Answer 3

I am not 100% sure of this but I am researching this and I read that in 1662 Sir William Alexander emmigrated from Scotland after obtaining King James VI of Scotland. He went to establish a "new Scotland", which later became Nova Scotia. At this time only few families came and it wasn't until between 1760 and 1860 that millions of people immigrated to Canada. A lot of people at this time were unskilled and seen Atlantic Canada as an opportunity for them. This is really all I know on the topic at this time.

The link below has some good information.

Answer 4

People would first have come to Scotland as the last ice age was ending. They would probably have been hunter gatherers specialised at living in coastal areas, and would have migrated from the south into Britain before the English Channel had formed. They would have come up the west coast of Britain, following the coast, and reached western parts of Scotland that way. probably it was easier then to get access all the way up and down the west coast of Britain than to gain access to the interior of England and Scotland.

Answer 5

They came to Australia because they wanted to see a new country and they thought it would be a difference in weather..... and it was, it is much warmer than Scotland

Answer 6

Because the weather is better.

Answer 7

To meet some nice ewes.