The Links Between Scotland and Canada

Written by: Doug
Published: 3rd February 2020

Scotland and Canada have long shared a special relationship. Though separated by 3,000 miles of ocean, Scot’s have played an important role in shaping the modern Canada of today, historically, politically, economically and culturally. Almost 5 million Canadians claim Scottish descent and Scot’s are the first largest ethnic group in the country. The ties today between the two nations are just as strong as they have ever been.

 
 

01. The Historic Background to Links Between Scotland and Canada

The first Scot’s may have arrived in Canada way back in 1010, carried to Newfoundland in longships by Viking raiders. However, the first links between Scotland and this part of the new world were really forged in the 17th Century, when King James VI claimed an area of land on the south east coast of what is now Canada, and named it Nova Scotia (Latin for New Scotland).

The Kingdom of Scotland established one of the earliest colonies in Canada in 1621, when Sir William Alexander was granted a charter for Nova Scotia. He established small settlements on Cape Breton Island and at the Bay of Fundy but they did not flourish and Scottish claims were surrendered to France in 1632.

French colonists arrived in the region, and formed the first permanent European settlement in the future Canada, living alongside the native Mi’kmaq people. Scottish (and later British) soldiers were involved in a great many separate military clashes as they fought with the Dutch and French (and Mi’kmaq) for possession of the area.

A few Scots immigrated to New France, but the major early movement of Scots into what is now Canada was a small flow of men from Orkney (beginning in around 1720). They were recruited by the Hudson’s Bay Company for service in the west. Scot’s soldiers came to fight for the British Army in the Seven Years War. Many remained in North America, and Scot’s merchants moved to Quebec after 1759, and came to dominate commercial life and the fur trade in the area.

Between 1770 and 1815, around 15,000 Highland Scots moved to Canada. They settled mainly on Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Upper Canada. Most came from the western Highlands and Islands and were predominantly Gaelic speaking and agrarian. Many were Roman Catholic. They were forced to leave Scotland by the Highland Clearances. The first ship of Hebridean colonists arrived on St John’s Island (now Prince Edward Island) in 1770, with many more following soon after. In 1772, the Alexander arrived there, carrying a group of Scots known as the Glenalladale Settlers. A ship called ‘The Hector’ landed in Pictou Nova Scotia in 1773, conveying 189 settlers, most from Lochbroom in the Isle of Skye.

In the early years of the 19th Century, Gaelic was the third most common European language spoken in Canada. A few Highlanders were brought by the Earl of Selkirk to Manitoba’s Red River Colony. They were later joined by other Highland Scots from the fur trade and their aboriginal families after 1821. Highland traditions were preserved and these places became distinctive ethnic enclaves.

Scottish immigration increased after 1815 and began to include not only Highlanders but also Lowland Scots, who were encouraged by the British Government to join Highlanders in coming to Canada. Around 170,000 Scots crossed the Atlantic to Canada between 1815 and 1870. The immigrants represented a cross-section of the Scottish population. Most were farmers and artisans, but large numbers of business people and professionals were also included. Most of these newcomers were Presbyterian and spoke Scots/ English. They formed many churches and schools during this period.

Since 1870, patterns of immigration and settlement have altered significantly. Pressures lessened in the Scottish Highlands, and Highlanders no longer immigrated to Canada in high numbers. In the Lowlands, urbanisation and industrialisation significantly lowered the percentage of farmers amongst immigrants. Canada’s Scottish immigrants, however, were still attracted both to its burgeoning cities and manufacturing industries, and to the last great agricultural frontier in Western Canada. The flow of people from Scotland to Canada continued.

Around 80,000 Scots entered Canada between 1871 and 1901, 240,000 in the first years of the 20th Century, 200,000 between 1919 and 1930, and 147,000 between 1946 and 1960. Of course, many Canadians have also made their way to, and settled in Scotland over the years.

Back To Top

 

02. Famous Figures That Link Scotland and Canada

 

Mary Irwin

Mary Irwin was born in Scotland in 1626 to a noble Catholic family who later moved to France. She chose to dedicate her life to her faith and joined the Hospitaller nuns of Dieppe. She was sent to train in Quebec in 1642-43 and then returned to Quebec in 1657 to enter a convent there. She served at the hospital there until her death in 1687.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back To Top

 

03. Current Trade Between Scotland and Canada

Scotland and Canada’s links are not only historic. Today, Canada is consistently in Scotland’s top 20 export partners. Exports of goods and services totalled £580 million in 2017. Unsurprisingly, the large Scottish diaspora and proud Scottish roots of many Canadians mean that traditionally Scottish products like whisky and haggis are high on the list of exports.

Canada is also one of Scotland’s biggest inward investors. There are around 75 Canadian companies in Scotland, providing Scots with around 6,000 jobs. Canadians holidaying in Scotland also inject around £90 million each year into the Scottish economy.

Energy is a sector where there is much common interest between Scotland and Canada. Close to 30% of the oil and gas produced in the North Sea is covered by Canadian companies based around Aberdeen. This is a partnership that can still be honed for years to come.

But Scottish authorities are focused on moving to a low-carbon economy – both for economic and environmental reasons. The aim in Scotland to to generate the equivalent of 100% of electricity consumption from renewable resources by 2020. British Columbia also already generates more 95% of its energy needs from renewable or clean sources and the sector is a key contributor to Canada’s green economy, as it is in Scotland. This has led to massive opportunities between the two nations for collaboration, trade and investment.

The two countries also share links when it comes to life sciences, high tech industries, and food and drink. Both Scotland and Canada are leading global salmon exporters and this is a market that can and will increasingly involve sustainability collaboration between the two nations.

Back To Top

 

04. Educational and Cultural Links Between Scotland and Canada

Many Canadians come to study in Scotland. There are currently over a thousand Canadian students studying in the country, and many of those who study in Scotland choose to stay on to build new lives, families and businesses. There are many academic links between the two countries.

Culturally, there is still great affinity between Scotland and Canada. In Canada, Scot’s culture is well and truly alive in traditions such as bagpipes and Scottish folk music, Highland Games, clans, tartan, Robert Burns poetry and Burns Night events, and curling – a game invented in Scotland that is popular in both countries. In fact, many traditional elements of Scottish culture have become as much a part of the Canadian national identity as they are part of the Scottish national identity.

With such strong links, the relations between Scotland and Canada can only become even stronger over the coming years.

Back To Top

 
 

---

About the author

Written by: Doug

---