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Period: to
Approximately 15,000 Highland Scots come to Canada
During this time period, approximately 15,000 Highland Scots settled in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Upper Canada. -
Isle of Skye to Orwell Bay Immigration
A large group of emigrants, accompanied by Lord Selkirk, arrive at Prince Edward Island. -
Emigration as a response to the War of 1812-1814
As a response to almost losing Canada to the United States in the War of 1812, Britain created assisted emigration schemes to relocate approximately five hundred Scots to create a civilian defence system between the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. This was offered to both Highlanders and Lowlanders, and while Lowlanders were happy with the plan, the Highlanders requested to be placed in previously established Highland settlements east of the Rideau Valley. -
British Government encourages Lowland Scottish Immigration
In 1815 the British Government encouraged Lowlands Scots to join the Highland population in Canada. -
Period: to
170,000 Scots immigrate to Canada
With the encouragement of Lowland Scottish immigration, approximately 170,000 Scots immigrated to Canada between 1815 and 1870. This totalled roughly 14 per cent of the total British migration of that time period. -
Dumfriesshire Immigrants settle in Prince Edward Island & New Brunswick
Immigrants from Dumfriesshire moved to Prince Edward Island and new Brunswick due to their textile and agricultural districts facing an economic downturn. They chose this location as this is where they had originally imported their timber from. -
Dalhousie College Founded
George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie, founds the non-denominational Dalhousie College. The college was modeled after the University of Edinburgh. This is significant in regards to immigration as it shows the actions of a prominent Scotsman utilizing his own roots and heritage to positively impact his new community. -
John A. Macdonald immigrates to Kingston, Upper Canada
John A. Macdonald's family immigrated to Kingston as a result of his father's unsuccessful business ventures. -
Highland Economy Collapses - Eviction Peak Begins
With a struggling economy, Highland landlords began evicting Highlanders from their homes. This, coupled with the increasing population, lead to an increase of immigration to Canada. This population opted to settle in areas such as Upper Canada and Nova Scotia so they could continue their previous style of life from Highland Scotland, and work the land. -
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Immigration Peak - 1840-1850
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Highland Potato Famine Begins
From 1846 to 1856, Highland Scottish persons found their potato crop infected with a Potato blight. While not as devastating as the Irish Potato Famine, the government suggested that a short term solution would to have members of the Highland Scottish population immigrate to Canada. -
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Highland Potato Famine
From 46 to 56, Highlanders found their potato crop infected with a Potato blight. While not as devastating as the Irish Potato Famine, the government suggested that a short term solution would to have members of the population immigrate to Canada. -
1871 Census Results
The 1871 Canadian Census indicated that 157 of every 1,000 Canadians were of Scottish heritage. 33.7 percent of the population of Nova Scotia was Scottish, and 4.1 percent of the Population of Quebec was Scottish. -
Alexander Mackenzie encourages immigration to Canada.
During his 1880 Nova Scotia visit, Alexander Mackenzie realized the financial rewards that Canada offered. He stated "I cannot see for the life of my why, nor can I conscientiously advocate that, my brother Highlanders hsould continue to remain at home in a servile and often starving position on the grounds of mere sentiment and love of their native soil when such a country as this is open to receive them." (Campey, 119-120) -
British Government allocated £10,000 towards the settlement of Canadian Praries
The government allocated £10,000 towards Hebridan settlement in the Canadian prairie regions.