Large-scale
emigration from Scotland began in the 18th century. The main reason
for this was the destruction of the clan system after the Battle of
Culloden in 1746. This resulted in a rapid increase in the cost of
renting land and an increasing number of Scottish farmers decided
to cross the Atlantic and settle in America.
Agricultural problems became even more acute in the first part of
the 19th century. The spread of large-scale sheep rearing resulted
in the Highland clearances where thousands of crofters were evicted
from their land. Most Scots emigrated
to Canada but there were also large numbers who went to the United
States. During the 19th century Scotland lost a much higher percentage
of her people than either England or
Wales. By 1890 there were over 250,000
people born in Scotland living in the United States.
Thomas Faed, The Last of the Clan
(1865)
Available from Amazon
Books (order below)
