What was secret of our own roamin' empire?

Published on Thursday 30 October 2008 21:10

THEY left Scotland in droves to seek their fortunes abroad – but they weren't poor crofters escaping the Highland clearances.

This was long before, when adventurous Scots were not fleeing poverty but instead seeking profit in Eastern Europe.

Professor Tom Devine, the leading historian, yesterday revealed another side to Scottish emigration as he opened a new centre dedicated to discovering the reasons behind the diaspora.

He said: "Why did they leave? That's the big mystery we are hoping to discover."

According to the historian, many Scots in the 16th and 17th centuries travelled to Eastern Europe to become traders or mercenaries in foreign armies.

Prof Devine said: "In the 17th century, there was a huge increase in the grain trade from Poland, but the marketing systems were very primitive and this is why the Scots moved in.

"They were basically selling everything required in the countryside so it would be household goods etc.

"It was opportunity which attracted Scots but they were operating at a very low level – these were not great merchants, they were peddlers."

Prof Devine said that Scottish soldiers had such a fearsome reputation as warriors that armies in Holland, France and particular Scandinavia had Scots brigades.

He added: "Men of violence were probably Scotland's greatest export from the 16th and 17th centuries. They were mercenaries, essentially."

And he said emigration to Poland was so large there were 400 separate settlements of Scots in the country.

Their influence was so strong that the modern word for tradesman in Polish, "szot", is derived from the word for Scot.

Prof Devine added: "The history of Scotland is much wider and deeper than the people who live in Scotland.

"Between 25 and 30 million people claim Scottish ancestry. That's about five to six times the current population of the country. The Scots have been one of the main diasporic peoples in history."

Doctors to both Catherine the Great and Peter the Great of Russia were Scots, as were many of the elite in the Russian navy.

Prof Devine continued: "One reason for studying this emigration is the very intriguing paradox that Scotland had emigration levels at Irish, Norwegian and Spanish and Italian levels – these were all poor, rural societies. (But] Scotland in the 19th century was the second-richest nation on earth, having industrialised and urbanised in the early 19th century – so how do you explain that?

"People refer to it as the paradox of Scottish emigration. One can advance some explanations but we've not yet got a wholly convincing answer."

The Centre for Diaspora Studies was launched last night at Edinburgh University. Its aim is to study global migration of Scots and their influence on the world.

The opening comes in the run-up to next year's Homecoming celebrations,

which coincide with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Linda Fabiani, the culture minister, said: "The talent and ingenuity of Scots has had an impact right across the globe, and the reach of the Scottish diaspora reflects that.

"The Year of Homecoming will be a fantastic celebration of all that is special about our country, and we are extending a warm invitation to all with Scottish ancestry, affinity or love of Scotland to 'come home' in 2009."

Success in a foreign land

ROBERT GORDON

THE Aberdonian used his enormous inheritance to fund a school and college, now a university, which still bear his name.

He travelled across Europe before starting business as a merchant trader in Danzig in the Baltic.

CHARLIE CAMERON

THE 18th-century architect to Catherine the Great is almost unknown in his native land but renowned in Russia. Experts say his role in the revival of Greek styles and his ability as an architect were on a par with that of fellow Scot Robert Adam.

THOMAS BRISBANE

THE soldier from Ayrshire served under the Duke of Wellington who recommended him as governor of New South Wales in Australia.

He founded the city of Brisbane, and it and the river were named after him.