Italians immigrated to Scotland in the 1800s-1900s mostly to escape poverty in Italy. They settled primarily in Glasgow, working as laborers or starting their own businesses like cafes and shops. Italian immigrants lived in ethnic enclaves and maintained their culture and Catholic faith. While some Scots were critical of their different religion/integration, most Italians had good relations with Scots through their entrepreneurship until tensions rose in World War 2 due to Italy's alliance with Germany.

1. Migration &
Empire,
1830-1939
Immigrants in Scotland -
Italians

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

3. Italians made up a relatively small group of
immigrants to Scotland during the 1800s and early
1900s, however their influence is still evident today.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

4. Reasons for
moving
Immigrants in Scotland – Catholic Irish

5. Most Italians that came to
Scotland were trying to
escape from extreme
poverty in Italy.
Large numbers of Italians
worked as agricultural
workers but did not always
have a job, or earn much
from their work, forcing
them to travel.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

6. Farm workers faced
problems such as famine
and drought, again forcing
them to find a new life
elsewhere.
Other Italians left because
they felt taxes were too
high in their country, again
forcing them to live in
poverty.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

7. For many Italian
immigrants, Scotland was
not their final destination;
instead they hoped to go
to the USA.
Travelling to America was
long and expensive so
some Italians used
Scotland as a stopping
point before the US.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

8. Where they
lived
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

9. Like other immigrant
groups, most people from
Italy tended to live where
there were fellow Italians.
Glasgow was the most
common destination in
Scotland; by World War
One the city had the third
biggest Italian community
in the UK.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

10. Italians also moved to
other areas of Scotland,
notably Edinburgh, whilst
there were also Italian
communities in places
such as Dundee.
Some Italians lived in
coastal towns (such as Ayr
and Largs) where they
opened businesses.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

11. Employment
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

12. Although many Italians
had worked as farmers in
Italy, few of them did so
after moving to Scotland.
Some Italians found work
in locations such as
factories, however Italians
worked for themselves by
setting up their own
businesses.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

13. Some Italians made
money by selling religious
statues, going door-to-
door or to Catholic
churches to do so.
Many Italians sold chips
and ice cream from street
barrows; they were called
‘hokey pokey’ men due to
their sales shouts.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

14. Over time the Italian
immigrants opened more
formal sales locations such
as shops, cafes and
restaurants.
Italian shops were often
grocers, selling a range of
products. Italian cafes sold
ice cream and also fish
and chips.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

15. It has even been claimed
that the 99 cone (an ice
cream cone with a
chocolate flake) was
invented in Scotland.
An Italian immigrant in
Portobello used to stick
chocolate flake into ice his
cream. His shop address
was 99 High Street.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

16. Many of these Italian
businesses are still well
known, such as Nardini’s
in Largs or Visocchi’s in
Brought Ferry.
Other Italians worked as
hairdressers and barbers.
The College of Italian
Hairdressers opened in
Glasgow in 1928.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

17. Housing
conditions
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

18. Italian immigrants tended
to live in the same type of
housing as other
immigrants to Scotland.
This usually took them to
the poorest areas of the
towns and cities to which
they moved, leading to
problems of overcrowding
and poor sanitation.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

19. Italians lived in areas of
Glasgow such as Partick
and in Edinburgh in the
Grassmarket, both known
for housing problems.
As their businesses
became more successful,
Italians were able to afford
to move to areas with
better housing.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

20. Personal
identity
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

21. Italian immigrants to
Scotland kept a strong link
to their home country and
heritage.
They generally lived in
communities with other
Italians, and were
expected to continue to
speak Italian, at least in
their home life.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

22. Inter-marriage was
encouraged within the
Italian community, partly
linked to the very long
hours which many Italians
worked.
They were also urged to
buy products from and
support Italian businesses
in their areas.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

23. Italian immigrants to
Scotland set up groups to
promote Italian culture.
This included Casa D’Italia,
which offered services
such as Italian lessons for
children and even
business loans to help
Italians start their own
companies.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

24. Most Italian immigrants
were Catholic, unlike the
majority of Scots.
The influx of Irish Catholic
migrants had led to an
increase in the number of
Catholic churches in
Scotland, which helped
Italians to continue to
practice their faith.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

25. Italians also made use of
the different Catholic
cemeteries that were
opened to maintain this
part of their identity.
This includes St Peter’s
and St Kentigern’s
cemeteries in Glasgow,
and also Mount Vernon
cemetery in Edinburgh.
Immigrants in Scotland – Italians

26. Relations with
Scots
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

27. The relatively low number
of Italian immigrants
limited the opposition that
they faced.
In addition the fact that
Italians mostly set up their
own businesses (meaning
they were not accused of
taking jobs) reduced the
criticism they faced.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

28. Italian cafes and shops
received a mixed reaction.
Some religious Scots
disliked the fact that these
businesses opened on a
Sunday. Others however
liked the fact that these
businesses offered an
alternative to the pub and
drinking alcohol.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

29. Italians sometimes faced
criticism because it was
believed they did not
integrate with Scots.
Italians were usually
Catholic, unlike most
Scots, and they tended to
live in their own
communities, continuing
to speak Italian.
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

30. Although many Italians
had good relations with
Scots, World War Two
changed this.
Italy’s support for Nazi
Germany meant Italians
were seen as an enemy,
and some were attacked
in the street or interned
(arrested without a crime).
Immigrants in Scotland - Italians

31. Immigrants in Scotland – Italians
Italian
people
Reasons for
moving
Relations
with Scots
Personal
identity
Employment
Housing

32. Immigrants in Scotland – Italians
Italian
people
Reasons for
moving
Personal
identity
Employment
Housing

33. Immigrants in Scotland – Italian people
Italian
people
Personal
identity
Employment
Housing