Scottish Americans

Most Scottish Americans are closely related to Irish Americans. They are decedents from Scots who migrated from Ulster in Ireland. The Scots in Ulster migrated to Ireland about five generations earlier, before leaving for the Americas in large numbers during the eighteenth century.

Recent studies estimate that there is anything between thirty and forty million Americans whose descendant’s are of Scots-Irish heritage. The figures include all Americans who claim to have Scottish ancestry, however small.

Scottish influence in the United States is not as strong as the Irish American's influence, but a huge chunk of American history is based on Americans of Scottish descent.

Every April, for instance, the annual Tartan Week is one of the largest, for want of a better word, ethnic celebrations taking part in New York City. Thousands of people converge onto the streets of the Big Apple to celebrate their heritage, culture and the influence the community still wields in current day American's.

The procession is a lively party atmosphere with hundreds of pipers, drummers, Highland dancers, Scottie Dogs marching and revelling in their family tartans and Saltier flags while interacting with the thousands of annual onlookers and tourists. A number of American celebrities of Scottish descent also join in the event.

One area of American culture where you can find a strong Scottish input is in the fast-food Industry. Armour Meats was founded in 1867 by Philip Danforth Armour. They revolutionized the meatpacking industry in the United States and became famous for hot dogs. Campbell Soups which is also well-known in the United Kingdom was founded in 1869 by Joseph A. Campbell. The company soon became a major manufacturer of canned soups.

Of course the two most well-known Scottish American story in the food industry is W. K Kellogg who transformed American eating habits by popularizing breakfast cereals from 1906 onwards. McDonald's which was founded in 1940 was the product of Scots-Irish fast food gurus, Dick and McDonald.

If you are an American looking for a Short break Scotland holiday in order to delve into your family history, then tracing your heritage with your family name will greatly simplify your work - especially if your name is related to one of the bigger clans.

For a place to stay while you travel around the country doing your research Hotel breaks Scotland will be able to find you accommodation at a reasonable price and their hotels are luxurious.