ISSUE 2: Experience of Italian immigrants

Italian immigrants worked extremely long hours which didn't allow them to socialise a great deal with Scots outside of work.

This created a negative experience because this meant Italian integration into Scottish life was very slow, which created a lot of tension and unease among the community.

Italian immigrants established many ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops, for example, Lucas in Musselburgh.

This created a positive experience because Italian immigrants created new businesses and flavours for Scots to enjoy, these businesses also created a lot of money which many Scots appreciated.

Many Scots believed ice cream parlours were a good alternative to public houses, preferring the young to go out and eat ice cream rather than drink.

This created a positive experience because Italians introduced a healthier, family-friendly alternative which many Scots enjoyed and appreciated.

Some discrimination and prejudice took place due to Italians being Catholic, with some immigrants having to deal with name-calling in schools or out on the streets.

This created a negative experience because Italians would have to deal with countless name-calling which was hurtful for them and made their life a lot harder.

Another successful business avenue was in hairdressing, in 1928, Italians established the College of Italian Hairdressers in Glasgow.

This created a positive experience because Italians found success in hairdressing, creating many opportunities and contributing to the local Scottish economy which many Scots appreciated.

For these Scots, many of whom were religious, the fact that Italians establishments opened on a Sunday also made their existence unacceptable, causing tension between the two groups.

This created a negative experience because Italians establishments opening times clashed with Scottish religious tradition, causing tension and resentment between Scots and Italians.

The Italians cafes and ice cream parlours were family run, with new relatives often arriving from Italy to work in them.

This created a positive experience because family-fun cafes created strong community bonding which helped Italian immigrants settle into Scotland by providing work opportunities.

The cafes were also places where young Scots could meet late into the evening when other businesses had shut, this led to the claim that the cafes were immoral and they encouraged bad behaviour.

This created a negative experience because many Scots viewed these places as unethical places which encouraged bad behaviour, leading to social tensions between Scots and Italians.

Between 1891 and 1901, around 25% of immigrants to Scotland were from Italy, these immigrants were escaping poverty and famine in their own country.

This created a negative experience because Italians were forced to leave their home country due to poverty and famine, they were not moving by choice but out of hardship and need.

Some second generation Italians may have adopted names to sound more Scottish, turning Giuseppe into Joe for example but on the whole, Italians maintained a distinct identity in Scotland, maintaining tradition and language.

This created a positive experience because Italian immigrants started to adapt to Scottish culture by changing their names, they were able to blend in while still preserving their language and heritage.