Scottish Immigration to Cape Breton, 1758-1838

Abstract

When one considers Scottish immigration into Cape Breton during the years 1758-1838, several questions seem to require an answer. Who were these people, why did they come, how did they travel, when did the come and what did they find when they arrived?

In Chapter One we consider the life of the Scotsman before emigration. By surveying both the way of life and the changes occurring in it, we might arrive at the causes which led to the decision to leave the homeland. Chapter Two answers the question how as we survey and assess the conditions of an emigrant voyage. In Chapter Three, we see the state of the island when the settlers arrived and consider the early effect of the settlers and the island upon each other. Chapter Four traces the development of early settlement and the importance of religion and education in the lives of these settlers. Chapter five follows the problems of the island during its early separate status until it acquires some stability after annexation. It concludes with an estimate of immigration and a survey of the land settlement problems. In the conclusion, the threads are drawn together to give an overall picture of Scottish immigration to Cape Breton, 1758-1838.