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Scottish Ethnic Groups, a Brief History

Stone Age immigrants from England, Ireland, and continental Europe were the first to arrive after the last Ice Age. They proved to be strong and independent, so much so that the Romans succeeded in occupying the two main tribes (the Beakers and Picts) for only a few decades before retreating.

The Scots from Ireland arrived in the 6th century, and for 300 years they skirmished in the highlands with the Picts before the Scots finally prevailed.

By the 14th century, the influence of England and her kings was gradually accepted by most in the southern lowlands. However, this was not so among the clans of the highlands. Decades of struggle ensued between English kings and clans in the north. In 1707, a treaty joined England, Scotland, and Wales into the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

The ethnic makeup of modern Scotland is almost 98% white Scottish, British, and Irish, 1% Asian, and 1% combination of Caribbean, African, and Chinese.