Black Scottish people facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
 Scotland 36,178 (2011)African - 29,000 Black Caribbean - 3,000 Black/Other Black - 3,000 |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
| Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee | |
| Languages | |
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| Religion | |
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Predominantly Christianity; minorities follow Islam, Irreligion, Atheism, Baháʼí Faith, Rastafarianism, Traditional African religions, other religions
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Black Scottish people are a group of Scottish individuals who identify as or have family roots from Africa or the Caribbean. They are also known as African-Scottish or Afro-Scottish. This group makes up about 0.7% of Scotland's total population.
Contents
Who are Black Scottish People?
Black Scottish people are those who live in Scotland and have a Black African or African-Caribbean background. This identity has grown over time, with people from African and Caribbean backgrounds arriving in Scotland for centuries.
How Many Black Scottish People Are There?
The 2011 UK Census found that about 36,000 people in Scotland identified as Black Scottish. This number was a big increase from the 2001 census, showing that the Black Scottish population grew by 28,000 people in ten years. Black Scottish people make up about 0.7% of Scotland's population.
Developing a Black Scottish Identity
Black people have been part of Scotland's story since the 1400s. More people arrived in the 1900s, especially after World War II. Over time, a strong sense of Black Scottish identity has developed. This identity often connects to African and Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Famous Black Scottish People
Many Black Scottish individuals have made important contributions in different fields.
Arts and Entertainment
- Aminatta Forna (writer)
- Kayus Bankole (member of the band Young Fathers)
- Shereen Cutkelvin (singer in the group Neon Jungle)
- Nicolette (musician)
- Tony Osoba (actor)
- layla-roxanne hill (writer)
- Finley Quaye (musician)
- Jackie Kay (writer)
- Eunice Olumide (model)
- Luke Sutherland (novelist and musician)
- Ncuti Gatwa (actor)
- Stewart Kyasimire (film director)
Military Heroes
Arthur Roberts, a soldier from World War I, kept a diary that is a very important historical record. It tells the story of one of the earliest known Black Scottish soldiers.
Sports Stars
Football Legends
Andrew Watson, born in British Guiana, is believed to be the first Black footballer to play at an international level. He played for Scotland three times between 1881 and 1882. Watson also played for and led Queen's Park, a top Scottish club, to win several Scottish Cups. This made him the first Black player to win a major competition.
For about 100 years after Watson, there were not many Black players in Scottish football. Some exceptions included Gil Heron at Celtic, Walter Tull at Rangers, and John Walker at Hearts. In 1988, Mark Walters joined Rangers, and his arrival unfortunately led to some unfair treatment because of his race.
The Scotland national team did not have another Black player until Nigel Quashie made his debut in 2004. He qualified to play for Scotland because his grandfather was Scottish. Later, Coatbridge-born Chris Iwelumo also played for Scotland.
Other notable Scottish-born players with Black heritage who have played for Scotland include:
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Other Sports
- Joe Ansbro, Rugby player
- Sean Crombie, Rugby player
- Kieron Achara, Basketball player
- Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, Winter Olympic Skier
Other Notable People
- Ellen More, who worked for Margaret Tudor
- Lesley Lokko (architect, teacher, and writer)
- Jessie M Soga (a supporter of women's right to vote and a singer)
Cultural Impact
Politics
In 2017, Graham Campbell of the SNP became Scotland's first councillor who followed the Rastafarian faith. He was also Glasgow's first councillor with African Caribbean family roots.
Challenges Faced
Dealing with Discrimination
Black Scottish people have sometimes faced unfair treatment and racism in Scottish society. A survey by Strathclyde University found that almost 45% of Black Scottish people reported experiencing discrimination between 2010 and 2015.
Black Scottish People in Stories
Black Scottish characters have appeared in various stories and media.
- "Of Ane Blak-Moir" is a poem about an African woman at the court of James IV of Scotland.
- Tavish Finnegan DeGroot, known as the Demoman from Team Fortress 2, calls himself a "black Scottish cyclops."
- Jerome "Chef" McElroy, a character from South Park, is from Scotland.
- Jim "Jock" McClaren is a character in the TV show Porridge.
- Elmo McElroy in The 51st State is a descendant of a Scottish family.
- In 2019, news reports said that African-American actor Denzel Washington would play the Scottish main character in Joel Coen's movie Macbeth. The film was released in 2021 as The Tragedy of Macbeth.
See also
- Demographics of Scotland
- Black British people
- Black African
- African diaspora
- Spain (surname)
- New Scots
