ISSUE 1: Internal Pull Factors

Scottish towns and cities had various social opportunities for Scots to enjoy such as music halls, cinemas and football clubs.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots living in rural areas did not have access to these exciting opportunities so moved to these towns and cities to experience them.

The coal, iron and steel industries also boomed, providing the raw materials for the Empire and creating jobs in the growing engineering works, mines and factories.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots were attracted to the opportunity of having a great income and a job they enjoy so migrated in hope to experience these opportunities.

The Education Act of 1872 gave all Scots between 5-13 the right to an education and in addition, schools were easier to access in these towns and cities.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because in rural areas, such as the Highlands, Scots did not have access to an education so moved to towns and cities in hope to further their education.

The railway boom in the 1840’s made it easier for Scots to move around the country, this encouraged temporary and permanent migration.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because railways made travel quicker, more reliable and more affordable which encouraged many Scots to move elsewhere in Scotland.

In the cities there was better healthcare, for example, there were more hospitals and some such as the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were charitable hospitals that provided healthcare for the poor.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because many Scots living in rural areas with very little healthcare were being granted opportunities which would benefit their health and standard of living so many moved to the towns and cities for this reason.

A key reason so many skilled Scots left is because they knew they could command higher wages in places like the Lowlands rather than in the Highlands and rural areas of Scotland.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots realised they could earn more money in the Lowlands, which meant they could support themselves and their families more, encouraging Scots to migrate elsewhere in Scotland to experience these opportunities.

The central belt of Scotland was full of employment opportunities. Scots decided to move from rural areas to the central belt for these job opportunities in various factories and firms.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots living in rural areas such as the Highlands, were extremely limited with job opportunities so they moved to the towns and cities in search of work opportunities.

Families and friends of Scots who had already moved to the cities sent letters home encouraging others to migrate too.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots felt sad they were not surrounded by their families so migrated to towns and cities to be near them.

In the 1800s, slum clearances were ordered in Scottish cities, housing was knocked down and replaced with improved ones.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because these changes attracted many people from rural areas, such as the Highlands, who were living in poor conditions, the chance to live in better-quality housing encouraged many Scots to migrate.

During the 1800s, migration to the southern parts of Scotland was common, particularly to industrial towns like Glasgow and Paisley where the textiles cried out for more workers.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because these industries created job opportunities which attracted many Scots from rural areas where employment was scarce, the promise of regular wages and more stable living conditions made the south an appealing choice, encouraging Scots to migrate.