Italian-Scots
Encyclopedia : I : IT : ITA : Italian-Scots
Italian-Scots, or Scots-Italian, designates an ethnic minority of Scottish and Italian descent. These terms may refer to people who are born in Scotland and of Italian descent; people who are born in Italy and of Scottish descent; or people who have migrated between these two nations. The terms can also be used to refer to a person of mixed Italian/Scottish heritage, currently living in the Americas or Australia (such as Ray Liotta or Jay Leno). A recent Italian voter census estimated that there is 70,000 to 100,000 people in Scotland of Italian descent or Italian nationals.
The first Italians to reach Scotland were the Romans in and around 50 A.D.. 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 the 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 the Great War that a sizeable population of Italian-Scots, of over 4,000 [link], 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 Two brought many hardships on Italians settled in Scotland - many families were separated as adult males were interned [link]. 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 [link]. 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 chippys, ice-cream parlours, pizzerias and restaurants, across Scotland.
Famous Italian-Scots
- Bonnie Prince Charlie
- Tom Conti
- Dario Franchitti
- Armando Iannucci
- Jay Leno
- Ray Liotta
- Lou Macari
- Eduardo Paolozzi
- Sharleen Spiteri
- Jack Vettriano
See also
Of interest may also be [www.scotsitalian.com] on the history of Scots-ItaliansReferences
Pieri, J. (2005) 'The Scots-Italians: Recollections of an Immigrant' The Mercat Press
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