1. Immigrants in Scotland –
Migration & Empire,
Immigrants in Scotland –
Protestant Irish

2. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
In today’s class I am learning to:
Describe the experiences of Protestant Irish immigrants in Scotland
Explain why some Scots supported or opposed Protestant Irish immigration

3. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Although most Irish immigrants to Scotland were Catholic, large numbers of Protestant Irish also made the journey across the Irish Sea.

4. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Reasons for moving

5. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
There were various reasons that Irish Protestants came to Scotland.
The devastating Potato Famine of the 1840s and 1850s hurt most people in Ireland, regardless of religion, so Protestants left to escape this.

6. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Poverty was a problem in Ireland, with high unemployment and low wages, so Scotland offered a chance of change.
Some Irish Protestants also had family or religious links to Scotland, which again helped encourage them to travel.

7. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Where they lived

8. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
There has often been more focus on Irish Catholic immigration to Scotland, because more immigrants were Catholic than Protestant.
However in the 1840s around one quarter of Irish migrants to Scotland were Protestant.

9. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Like Irish Catholics, Protestants moved to areas where jobs were available.
Even before many problems in the mid- 1800s, Irish Protestants had come to Scotland to work in industries such as weaving.

10. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Although they moved to places across Scotland, Irish Protestants often moved to areas that had an existing Irish Protestant population.
This meant mainly Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and also places in and around Glasgow.

11. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Employment

12. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Irish Protestants worked in similar jobs as Catholic immigrants – although they often faced less discrimination in doing so.
Protestant migrants were attracted to Scotland with the chance of work in mines, factories, farms and shipyards.

13. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Some workplaces – including shipyards in the west of Scotland – would not hire Catholic workers, so this gave an advantage to Protestant workers.
Some companies even advertised to encourage Irish Protestants to move to work in Scotland.

14. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Many Protestant workers were skilled in weaving and bleaching, which helped them find work.
Ayrshire attracted large numbers of Irish Protestants. This meant that many Protestants worked in the area as miners or on farms.

15. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
However, like Irish Catholics, some Irish Protestant migrants were resented by Scots.
There was a fear than immigrant workers were taking Scottish jobs, or at the very least were lowering the wages Scottish workers received.

16. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Housing conditions

17. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Irish Protestants often had the same living conditions as their Catholic equivalents.
The growth of towns and cities in Scotland in the 1800s created huge overcrowding problems, and Protestant immigrants were affected by this too.

18. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
For many immigrants, the only housing which was available was poor quality and overcrowded.
This meant many Protestant immigrants living in single ends (one roomed houses), with poor sanitation, such as not having running water.

19. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Personal identity

20. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Protestant Irish immigrants had much less difficulty than Irish Catholics in continuing to practice their religion.
Protestant churches existed all across Scotland, allowing Protestant migrants to attend services or be married.

21. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Many Irish Protestants also showed their religious identity through their involvement in Protestant organisations.
Groups such as the Orange Order had a presence across Scotland – mainly in the west coast – and Irish migrants joined.

22. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Relations with Scots

23. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Irish Protestant immigrants received a more positive welcome to Scotland than Irish Catholics.
This was because they shared the same religious beliefs as many Scots, unlike their Catholic counterparts.

24. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Irish Protestant immigrants also benefitted from the support of pro- Protestant groups in Scotland.
Orange Lodges opened across Scotland – especially in the west coast – and welcomed new members.

25. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Some employers did want Irish workers – but not Catholic ones. They encouraged Protestant Irish workers to move to Scotland.
Some shipbuilding companies in Glasgow became known for refusing to hire Catholics.

26. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Protestant Irish immigrants – like Catholic ones – also became more integrated as a result of politics or the Great War.
They served alongside Scots in the military, or became involved in political parties and trade unions.

27. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
However not all Scots were happy about Protestant Irish immigration.
Some Irish migrants – Catholic and Protestant – engaged in religious battles. This created a negative impression of all Irish immigrants.

28. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Protestant immigrants also faced similar problems to Catholic immigrants, such as living in poor communities or working in low paid jobs.
This caused resentment from Scots who worried about overcrowding or losing their job.

29. Immigrants in Scotland – Protestant Irish
Reasons for moving
Employment
Irish Protestants
Relations with Scots
Housing
Personal identity