INTERNAL MIGRATION OF SCOTS

• Enclosed farms

  Farmers created large enclosed farms to provide food for growing population and to avoid famine. This meant not only that rural workers had a significantly lower chance of owning land by also that their wages were much less secure as there were many more workers to available jobs.
• The agriculture Revolution.

  Farming methods and technology reduced the number of workers required to make a farm productive. An example of this is the self binding reaper which halved the average number of days it took to tend to an acre of barley between 1840 and 1914.
• Potato Blight

  Highlanders were economically dependent on the potato as a crop, when this crop failed many had no alternative but to migrate to a city that offered more readily available food. Example - 8% of the population relied on the potato as food. When potato blight destroyed much of Scottish potato crop between 1846 and 1856, many highlanders migrated rather than face starvation.
• Kelp Industry decline

  Kelp was a form of valuable seaweed that had many uses. burned kelp was used to dye linen and assist in the production of glass and soap. Many crofters relied on kelp to provide for themselves. In 1830 the kelp industry was in sharp decline as it faced foreign competition from imports of spanish barilla and mined chemicals.
• Improved Transport


  New railways and steamboat links connected parts of Scotland and made it much easier, cheaper, quicker and less dangerous to travel. The first north line was completed in 1874, spanning over 160 miles. This connected the very north of the country with industrial lowlands + encouraged scots to migrate to towns and cities.
• Homes in rural Scotland


  Many thought basic living conditions in rural areas could be improved by moving to a city. Many rural lowland workers lived in bothies, or shared housing, and many highland scots lived in so called 'black houses' with little ventilation or comfort. Pushed scots to urban ones, seeking improved living conditions.
• Education


  Greater education of the rural population in some parts of the highlands, making a potential move to an urban centre and finding work significantly more likely. Resulted in raised expectations and awareness about rest of Scotland and world, leading children of rural workers to seek a different way to support themselves in towns and cities. Shown especially in regions such as Argyll, 70% of population was literate.
• Social Life


  A varied social life pulled many scots to migrate. Rural work was seen as tough, with long hours, comparatively low pay and very few holdings. On the other hand, city life appeared to promise more leisure and freedom for workers. Things such as cinemas and other exciting leisure activities emerged in cities such as Edinburgh. Appealed to rural workers tired of monotonous life.