A number of factors forced or encouraged people to leave Scotland after 1830. The Highland Clearances and competition for land, jobs and housing caused thousands of Scots to travel to the New World.
Family and friends who had emigrated sent letters back telling of great success. Stories spread of great wealth being accumulated and many Scots believed they could achieve the same success.
Newspapers
Newspapers ran adverts and published letters from successful emigrants, which described the better lives waiting for those who would emigrate.
Financial incentives
Governments of the new countries offered land and helped with the cost of travel.
Missionary work
Some emigrants hoped to spread Christianity to those living in the British Empire and further afield. It was their 鈥榤ission鈥 to spread the word of God.
Many Christian religious organisations trained missionaries and provided finances to send missionaries to the New World.