Immigration to Scotland 1830s-1939Irish immigrants in Scotland
Unemployment, poverty and persecution caused thousands of people from Ireland, Italy and Eastern Europe to travel to Scotland in search of better lives.
Between 1830 and 1914 over 300,000 Irish people migrated to Scotland.
Year
Irish-born living in Scotland
Percentage of population
1841
126, 321
4.8%
1851
207, 367
7.2%
1861
204, 083
6.7%
1881
218, 745
5.9%
1901
205, 064
4.6%
1921
159, 020
3.3%
1931
124, 296
2.6%
Year
1841
Irish-born living in Scotland
126, 321
Percentage of population
4.8%
Year
1851
Irish-born living in Scotland
207, 367
Percentage of population
7.2%
Year
1861
Irish-born living in Scotland
204, 083
Percentage of population
6.7%
Year
1881
Irish-born living in Scotland
218, 745
Percentage of population
5.9%
Year
1901
Irish-born living in Scotland
205, 064
Percentage of population
4.6%
Year
1921
Irish-born living in Scotland
159, 020
Percentage of population
3.3%
Year
1931
Irish-born living in Scotland
124, 296
Percentage of population
2.6%
Where did they settle?
Most of the Irish people settled in the West of Scotland, particularly in Glasgow. Other popular destinations were Paisley, Dundee and Ayrshire and smaller numbers settled in Edinburgh and Stirling.
The majority of Irish immigrants were economic migrants looking for employment. This was due to the relative lack of jobs as these cities were never industrial centres.
