THE SCOT IN ULSTER

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for defence, though a fourth part of the lands is not fully inhabited." [1] Of these, fully a half must have been Scots; and if there be added the great colonies in Down and Antrim, there must have been an immigration from Scotland of between 30,000 and 40,000 in these ten years. Pynnar regrets that "many English do not yet plough nor use husbandry, being fearful to stock themselves with cattle or servants for those labours;" and states, that "were it not for the Scottish, who plough in many places, the rest of the country might starve." [2] When we come to the detailed report of each holding, it is easy to understand why the Scots were doing the work of colonists so well--they were led by men of energy, who were devoting their lives to the task. Pynnar's report also enables us to understand the new framework of society which it was intended to build up in Ulster. James and his advisers quite understood that to give a feeling of security to the new colony, it was necessary to have fortified houses all over the country, with a certain number of walled towns which should contain garrisons. Every undertaker was therefore bound to raise a "castle of stone," which would certainly vary much in size and strength, but which was at least to give to the small settlements as much protection as did the "little towers and peels, such as are common in our Borders." [3]...continue reading »

[1] Calendar of State Papers, Carew, p. 422.

[2] Ibid., p. 423.

[3] Letter from Alexander Hay, Scottish Secretary of State--Privy Council Record, vol. viii. p. 793.

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Page 50

The Scot in Ulster:
Sketch of the History of the Scottish Population of Ulster

by John Harrison

1888