Italian Scots

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Italian Scot
Flag of Italy Flag of Scotland
Total population

No exact numbers but estimates range from 35,000 to 100,000
Regions with significant populations
Throughout Scotland specifically Glasgow ·
Languages
British English · Italian (and related forms)
Religions
Predominantly
Roman Catholic
Related ethnic groups
Italian, Welsh Italians, Scots, Welsh, Maltese, Gibraltarians

Italian Scots or Scots-Italians are an ethnic minority of Italian descent living in Scotland. These terms may refer to people who are born in Scotland and of Italian descent. A recent Italian voter census estimated that there are 70,000 to 100,000 people in Scotland of Italian descent or Italian nationals, which is up to 1.9% of the Scottish population.

The first people from Italy to reach Scotland were the Romans in and around 40 AD. The Romans left their mark on Scotland in the shape of Hadrians Wall, Antonine Wall and other monumental constructions. However, it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that an Italian-Scots identity really began to take shape.

Many Italian-Scots can trace their ancestry back to the 1890s where their forefathers escaped drought, famine and poverty in their homeland for a better life in Scotland; yet it was not until World War I that a sizeable population of Italian-Scots, of over 4,000,[1] began to emerge, with Glasgow hosting the third largest community in the United Kingdom (ibid.). Since then, there has been a steady flow of migration between the two countries.

Italy and the fascist involvement in World War II brought many hardships on Italians settled in Scotland - many families were separated as adult males were interned.[2] The family members that were left behind were forced to cope with mistrust and discrimination. Of those imprisoned many men found themselves held in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. A number of others were employed in Orkney, at Scapa Flow, to construct a barrier against Nazi U-boats. These men additionally constructed the Chapel of Lambholm from scrap metal and junk.[3] Nowadays, this Chapel is one of Orkney's most popular tourist attractions.

Today, Italian Scots can be found working in all manner of professions. However, a large proportion of the community have plied their trade in the catering industry, working in the chip shops, ice-cream parlours, pizzerias and restaurants across Scotland.

Contents

[edit] The Scots in Italy

Over the last few centuries many Scots migrated to main land Europe in search of a better life or to escape religious persecution. Italy was one of the many destinations that the Scots migrated to.

By 1592 the Scottish community in Rome was big enough to merit the building of Sant'Andrea degli Scozzesi it was constructed for the Scottish expatriate community in Rome, especially for those intended for priesthood. The adjoining hospice was a shelter for Catholic Scots who escaped their country because of religious persecutions. In 1615 Pope Paul V gave the hospice and the nearby Scottish Seminar to the Jesuits. It was rebuilt in 1645. They became more important when James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender set his residence in Rome in 1717. It was abandoned during the French occupation of Rome in the late 18th century. In 1820, religious activity was resumed, but no longer by the Jesuits. It was reconstructed in 1869 by Luigi Poletti. The church was deconsecrated in 1962 and incorporated in a bank (Cassa di Risparmio delle Province Lombarde). The Scottish Seminar also moved away. The Feast of St Andrew is still celebrated there on 30 November.

Gurro in Italy is said to populated by the ancestors of Scottish soldiers. According to local legend, Scottish soldiers fleeing the Battle of Pavia arrived in the area where stopped by severe blizzards forcing many or if not all to give up their travels and settled in the town. To this day the town of Gurro is still proud of its Scottish links many of the residents claim that their surnames are Italian translations of Scottish surnames and the town also has a Scottish museum.[4][5]

[edit] Notable Italian Scots

[edit] Note

Johnny Dundee, born Giuseppe Carrora in Sicily, was an Italian American boxer known as the "Scotch Wop". Dundee had no Scottish ancestry, but became known as the "Scotch Wop" because his boxing alias, Dundee, is the name of a Scottish city.

Ray Liotta, though he has an Italian surname, is actually of mostly Scottish ancestry. He was adopted by an Italian American couple.

Nancy Dow, the mother of actress Jennifer Aniston and a former model and actress herself, was distantly related to Mary, Queen of Scots through her father, who was of Scottish ancestry. Her mother was of Italian descent.

[edit] See also

v • d • e
Italian People
Africa
Americas
Argentina  · Brazil  · Canada  · Mexico  · Peru  · Uruguay  · USA  · Venezuela
Europe
Germany  · Romania  · Switzerland  · UK (Scotland  · Wales)
Oceania
Asia and Africa
China · India  · Africa
Europe
Fascist-claimed populations
Official/Co-official
Unofficial/Historically official
Corsica, France  · Eritrea  · Libya  · Malta  · Monaco  · Nice, France  · Libya  · Somalia
Religious groups
Buddhists  · Christians  · Hindus  · Jews(History)  · Muslims  · Sikhs

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Italian role in Scotland honoured", BBC News, 3 November, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-03-16. 
  2. ^ History. ScotsItalian.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
  3. ^ Orkney's Italian Gift. BBC. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
  4. ^ Scottish Soldiers in Norway. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
  5. ^ Scottish Celts in Italy. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.

Pieri, J. (2005) 'The Scots-Italians: Recollections of an Immigrant' The Mercat Press