Immigration History from Scotland to Victoria
Poverty, famine and epidemics in Scotland in the 1820s and 1830s caused the first significant Scottish emigration to Australia. Victoria was the most popular colony in which to settle. Scottish squatters and rural workers established farms, and urban settlers worked as skilled artisans and professionals.
In the first Victorian census of 1854, Scotland-born people were the third largest group after the English and Irish, with 36,044 people. Within three years a further 17,000 had arrived, many hoping to make their fortunes on the goldfields. Immigration assistance schemes also swelled the number of Scottish arrivals. By 1861 the Scotland-born population of Victoria reached 60,701 – the highest level it would ever reach.
As the gold rush declined, many Scottish immigrants moved on to farming, industry or commerce. Growing community organisations such as Presbyterian churches and highland societies provided a focus for social and cultural activities.
In the early 20th century, assistance schemes for British immigrants promoted Scottish immigration. By the 1940s, recession and war affected Scotland’s economy, prompting increasing numbers to emigrate. The Scotland-born community in Victoria grew from 23,442 in 1947 – its lowest level since the early years of white settlement – to 41,923 by 1966.
In the decades that followed, fewer Scotland-born people chose to settle in Victoria. By 2016, the community numbered 26,074, although those with Scottish ancestry make up a far greater proportion of the Victorian population.
The community today is relatively old, with over one third aged over 65. Almost 70% are Christian, half of whom identify with Presbyterian and Reformed churches. Over one third of those working are employed in professional roles; many others work in trades, production and transport.
Reflecting the long history of the Scottish community in Victoria, their population today is spread across urban and rural areas, with concentrations in Geelong, Bendigo, Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula. Scottish customs and folklore are maintained through Caledonian Societies and Highland Games, church activities, and organisations such as the Victorian Scottish Union, Council of Clans and the Victorian Pipe Band Association.
Immigration History from Scotland (Scots) to Victoria
Poortith, yawpishness an deid i’ Scotland i’ the 1820s an’ 1830s causit the foremaist meikle Scottish emigration till Australia. Victoria war the maist faur ben colony i’ whilk tae settle. Scottish squatters an’ landwart winners makit mailens, an’ ceetie settlers warkit as skeelie artisans an’ professionals.
In the foremaist Victorian census o 1854, Scotland-born folk war the thrid gausiest wheen ahint the Sassenachs an’ Irish, wi 36,044 folk. Wi’in thrie towmonds a furder 17,000 haen arrivit, mony howpin tae gar thair gear on the gowdloanings. Immigration forder schames eke swellit the wheen o Scottish winin. Gin 1861 the Scotland-tholit population o Victoria reachit tae 60,701 – the hie’est nummer hit wad evir ryket.
Sae the gowdrash dwynet, mony Scottish immigrants gaed on tae mailenin, eidence or cowpin. Growin commonty organisations siccan Presbyterian kirks an hielan sosheries ga’e thaim mickle ado thegither passingly.
In the air 20th towmond hunder, forder schames for Breetish immigrants promoted Scottish immigration. Gin the 1940s, recession an weir effeckit Scotland’s economy, eikin nummers tae gang awa’. The Scotland-born commonty i Victoria groweit fae 23,442 i 1947 – hits laichest nummer syne the air towmonds o fite settlin – tae 41,923 b’ 1966.
I’ the decades that followit, wheener Scotland-born folk wal’t tae settle i Victoria. Gin 2011, war 29,804 i the commonty atweel, altho thae wi Scottish forefowk sowther a faur muckler feck o the Victorian population.
The commonty the day is lure auld, wi ower ane thrid owre 65. Awmaist 70% are Christian, hauf o whaem belang till Presbyterian an Reformed kirks. Owre ane thrid o thae winnin are employit in professional wark; mony ithers winn in trokes, production an transport.
Keekin ahint the lang history o the Scottish commonty in Victoria, thair population the day is skailit athort ceety an landwart, wi hantles in Geelong, Bendigo, Gippsland an’ the Mornington Peninsula. Scottish customs an folklore are threepit throwe Caledonian Societies an Hieland Gemmes, kirk throu-pits, an wheens siclike the Victorian Scottish Union, Council o Clans an the Victorian Pipe Band Association.
