ISSUE 1: Internal Push Factors

The agricultural revolution meant that machines such as the threshing machine started to replace men on farms in rural areas of Scotland.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because workers lost their jobs so moved to industrial towns and cities in hope to experience other job opportunities.

Many Scots lived in black houses which were disease ridden houses with no windows and were shared with animals.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because many Scots struggled to live in these extremely poor conditions so moved to towns and cities in hope to experience better living conditions.

The decline of the kelp industry, especially in the Hebrides, forced Scots to migrate elsewhere as many Scots were employed in this industry.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because workers had now lost their jobs so they had no choice but to migrate to the towns and cities in search of employment.

The potato blight hit the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in 1846, devastating the potato crop and resulting in terrible famine.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots relied heavily on the potato crop to survive so without this, Scots had no choice but to move elsewhere in search of food and employment.

Diseases spread easily as a result of living in the black houses, with typhus common in some areas.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots were beginning to get ill so had no choice but to move to other towns and cities to protect their health and to hopefully receive better healthcare.

Many Scots who worked on farms faced very poor conditions, for example, they worked long hours and had only a few days off.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots overworking on farms had had enough dealing with their poor working conditions so moved to the cities where they would get a day off from the factories.

Scots were cleared from their homes during the Highland Clearances where landowners wanted to use the land for sheep or deer as they could make more money.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scottish workers had lost their homes and were forced to migrate to towns and cities to find a new place to stay.

Farming was very tough for Scots, for example, the soil was often poor quality and the equipment was very basic.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because many Scots were struggling to work on their land due to poor conditions so moved to the towns and cities for jobs in the new factories.

Many Scots were struggling in the fishing industry as poor catches became more common, leading to a lack of income.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because Scots were losing their jobs due to poor catches therefore moved to the towns and cities for the new jobs created in the factories.

Life in the Highlands was often boring, isolated and physically demanding, communities were located in remote areas far from towns and cities which made it difficult for people to access healthcare and education.

This was a reason for the migration of Scots because with little opportunities and limited social or cultural activities, many Scots felt cut off and lacked hope for a better future, so many had no choice but to migrate in search of a better quality of life.