Irish 'were foundation of Scottish progress'
A leading historian has claimed the Irish made a far greater contribution to Scottish society than they have been given credit for.
Professor Thomas Devine says research shows they have played a major role in the industrialisation of Scotland.
He says they have also had a massive effect on the making of modern Scottish society.
He says the popular belief that Irish immigrants who came to Scotland for work in the late 18th century were marginalised and lived in ghetto-like areas is "encrusted with myth and distortion".
The academic says recent research proves they played a substantial part in Scottish life, including religion and politics.
The professor, based at the University of Aberdeen's research institute of Irish and Scottish Studies, said over a million Scots - about a fifth of the population - had connections with the Irish.
He says the Irish provided a "great muscular army" during industrialisation when they came to live predominantly in west central Scotland, west Lothian, Dundee and to a limited extent Perth and Stirling.
Prof Devine, author of the 1999 bestseller The Scottish Nation, says the sectarian tradition in Scotland came about because of the mix of Irish Protestants and Catholics who came over.
He went on: "They had a massive influence and provided vital labour supply during industrialisation when they played a large part in rail construction, rural harvests and factory work - a factor that until now has been unrecognised."
Professor Devine will present his revisionist views to a special Royal Society of Edinburgh lecture being held at the University of Dundee next month.
