1. Issue 3: Scottish emigration, 1830s–1939
Issue 3: Scottish emigration, 1830s– Why did many people leave Scotland?
Lesson starter:
Write a list of reasons as to why many people might leave Scotland.

2. Today we will be learning to…
Explain briefly why some Scots emigrated after 1830.
I can…
Create a mind map outlining key reasons for people leaving Scotland.

3. Task Why did people leave Scotland?
We will go through a series of quotes from Scots emigrants between 1830 and 1930.
Take a double page in your jotter.
Create a mind map outlining the key reasons for people leaving Scotland between
We will go into more details of these in the next lessons so leave space to add more information.
Use a different colour of pencil for each reason.
Why did people leave Scotland?

4. I have no say! I was found guilty of stealing four sheep.

5. I’m heading down south. Wages there are higher for doing the same job.

6. I’m not needed any more. The farmer uses all sorts of machines and doesn’t need me anymore.

7. The way of life in the countryside is changing
The way of life in the countryside is changing. We have had to leave our little house. The farm owner wants to plough up the land to make
bigger fields.

8. I used to be so well off! We were able to afford good
China and my wife had several gowns. Everyone wanted our goods. Now the factories and their horrid new machines produce cloth much faster. No one wants us anymore.

9. We used to have good jobs but trade is poor now
We used to have good jobs but trade is poor now. Work is not always easy to find. Times are hard as rents are high and we have lots of mouths to feed.

10. I should be grateful that I have a roof over my head and I get my meals. But, I am so fed up with the long hours and the lack of days off.

11. I used to earn a good living
I used to earn a good living. The job was dangerous but we were always busy. Now we can’t catch and sell enough to live on.

12. My family and I have no choice – we have been put off our land in the Highlands. The landlord said he makes more money from sheep grazing on the land.

13. I’m moving my family for a better life
I’m moving my family for a better life. There is cheap land overseas and the chance to enjoy a higher standard of living.

14. Farming in Scotland is difficult
Farming in Scotland is difficult. The land is of poor quality and the weather is cold and wet. I can’t make enough to live on.

15. I farmed potatoes in Sutherland, but the blight came to us too
I farmed potatoes in Sutherland, but the blight came to us too. I was one of the few lucky ones to have the money to leave the Highlands before I starved.

16. Main reasons why people left Scotland: Key points
New technology – replacing workers on farms and in factories
Farming industry difficult – little land, poor conditions
Unemployment
Decline of some industry – fishing, kelp, etc.
Higher wages in other countries like England
Higher standard of living abroad
Convicts sent away (exiles)
Evictions/ Highland clearances

17. Further Reading on next few slides (optional)

18. Today we will be learning to…
Explain briefly why some Scots emigrated after 1830.
I can…
Successfully complete a Nat 5 question under timed conditions.

19. Timed Task: 12 mins
Explain why many Scots emigrated between marks
Remember:
This is N5 – all answers are full sentences – no bulletpoints!
You must link back to the question for every point e.g.
One reason Scots emigrated was …. This was important as…. Another reason Scots emigrated was…. This was important as….
It may be useful to go through the difference between a describe and explain question here.

20. Nat 5 Knowledge Questions
Describe…
Explain…
Firstly, some Scots were convicts and went to Australia.
Key points:
Straightforward description.
One reason for Scots emigrating was they were forced to leave as they were convicts. This was important as they were made to go to places like Australia.
Key points:
Link back to the question.
Make sure you EXPLAIN your point fully.

21. LEAVING TO GO TO PRISON!
Up until 1867 Australia was used as a place to send people convicted of crimes.
Sending people to these prison colonies was called transportation.
Between 1787 and 1867 around 7600 Scottish convicts were sent to Australia.
The sentence could be 7 years, 14 years or life.
Many settled in Australia once their sentence was over.
In this document Donald McDonald is
accused of stealing three cows and is
sentenced to 14 years transportation.

22. LIFE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS CHANGING
Bigger farms were being introduced. This meant less people had the chance to own their own land.
New machines were introduced and this meant less workers were required.
Farmers faced growing foreign competition due to the new steamships being able to bring foods from overseas.
A horse drawn reaping machine in
Perthshire

23. LIFE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WAS CHANGING
Wages in the countryside were low, work was hard and hours were long

24. The towns were growing
Many people moved from the countryside to the towns.
The towns and cities became overcrowded.
By 1911, 66% of people in Glasgow lived in one or two roomed houses.
Rents were high.

25. The Herring Fishing industry went into decline.
Many women were employed to gut and
Pack the herring. This picture was taken in
Arbroath.
The herring fishing industry boomed in the late 19th century. However, the Russian
Revolution of 1917 brought an end to the East European export market. The men
who worked on the trawlers and the women who worked as gutters lost their jobs.

26. Unemployment
In the twentieth century life continued to be hard for many Scots.
A bad winter could put some workers out of a job.
By the 1930s there was a lot of unemployment in Scotland.
There was little benefits available to people who lost their jobs.
These workers are preparing for an
Unemployment march in Glasgow in the
1930s.