Reasons for Scottish Migration

Question 1

Reasons for Scottish Migration

Answer 1

Enhanced employment opportunities in lowland industrial towns - higher wages and better conditions.

Town life had a strong appeal to many young rural workers - social attractions.

Town occupations were deemed less demanding than rural work, so an easier lifestyle.

Landowners raised rents and forcibly evicted those who couldn’t pay.

The mechanisation of farming meant that fewer men were required, resulting in jobs being lost.

1846 potato blight left 150,000 at risk of starvation, drove many people from the highlands.

Transport developments in Scotland, e.g the railway system, meant it was easier and cheaper to travel the country.

Rural life had few attractions - long hours and hard labor, no social life.