Scottish

The term "Scot" refers to a member of a Celtic people who settled in Scotland from northern Ireland around 500 AD. Historically, relations between the Celtic Scots of the Highlands and islands and the Anglo-Saxons of the Lowlands were often marked by conflict. However, since the 20th century, this mixture has increasingly been viewed as the foundation of a rich, unified Scottish culture.12

People in Shetland and Orkney have historically maintained a distinct identity, looking to Scandinavia due to their Norse heritage. Scotland has also seen significant immigration, including Irish laborers, Jews, Lithuanians, Italians, Poles, and more recently, Asians, particularly from Pakistan. Following the expansion of the European Union in 2004, there has been a notable increase in immigration from eastern European countries.2

While Scotland comprises about one-third of the United Kingdom's area, it holds less than one-tenth of its population. The majority of people (nearly three-fourths) reside in the central belt. Historically, Scotland experienced significant emigration, primarily to England, Canada, the United States, and Australia, though the population size has remained relatively stable since World War II. More recently, the North Sea petroleum industry has attracted people to the northeast and north, contributing to Scotland's growing appeal as a place to live and work.3