Scots emigrated to countries around the world with British Empire links, especially Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and India. In these countries, Scots had significant impacts such as founding universities, establishing industries like farming and mining, spreading religion by building churches, and occupying important political positions including prime ministers. Scots also made their marks in these new lands through setting up successful businesses and participating in activities like trade, education, the military, and government administration in the case of India.
3. The Scots emigrated to many countries around the world,
but especially those with British Empire links (including the
USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India).
4. Canada
Scots named towns after
areas of Scotland, and also
set up their own Church of
Scotland branches.
Scots set up McGill
University and Canada’s
first Prime Minister (John A.
MacDonald) was a Scot.
5. Scots helped create the
Canadian Pacific Railroad
(funding the project and
building it too).
The Hudson’s Bay Company
dominated the fur trade,
and it was mainly Scots
involved in this (especially
those from Orkney).
6. The USA
Scots spread religion by
setting up churches in
different areas.
Scots took farming skills
and set up their own farms
across the country. They
also used mining skills in
areas such as California.
7. Many Scots set up
extremely successful
businesses.
Andrew Carnegie’s steel
company made him the
richest man in the world.
Robert Dollar owned a
major shipping company
and David Buick founded
the famous car firm.
8. Australia
Scots set up Australia’s
sheep farming industry,
including introducing the
merino sheep.
Scots were heavily involved
in politics; Andrew Fisher
from Ayrshire became
Australian Prime Minister.
9. Schools and churches were
set up by Scots across
Australia, spreading the
English language and
Christian faith.
Scots set up various
businesses, including banks,
shipping and sugar and
wine businesses.
10. New Zealand
Scots set up churches
across New Zealand, and
also named towns after
places in their homeland.
Many Scots were involved
in setting up educational
establishments, including
Otago University.
11. Some Scots were involved
in politics. Peter Fraser was
the NZ Prime Minister in the
1940s.
Other Scots influenced
business, including using
their farming skills or setting
up businesses. This included
banks and the paper-
making industry.
12. India
Many Scots were a key part
of the Empire and involved in
running India’s government,
including working as
governors or members of the
civil service.
Other Scots set up churches
to spread the Church of
Scotland faith.
13. Scots worked in trading
companies to buy goods such as
tea and jute, including the East
India Company.
Other Scots improved education
by setting up schools and also
the University of Calcutta.
Some Scots were soldiers and
stationed in India.
