Engaging the Scottish Diaspora: Memory, Identity and Place

Abstract

Migration forms a key part of Scotland’s heritage. Some 40 million people around the world claim Scottish affinity, and connecting with this global community has become a government policy. This chapter addresses diaspora engagement through the lens of ancestral tourism. Every year, thousands of members of the diaspora return to Scotland to discover their roots. Understandings of Scottish history are central to these journeys and to the diaspora’s sense of connection to the Scottish nation. This chapter addresses diaspora engagement from the visitor perspective. It considers the nature of their journeys, their ambitions, and their sense of connection to the past, with an eye towards the challenges and opportunities that museums and historic sites face in engaging with Scotland’s global community and in representing migration heritage.