Scots Wha Hae

Scots Wha Hae –Lowland Scots for -Scots Who Have'– features key objects that tell the story of Scottish migration to Victoria and its impact on culture, governance, business and education.

'There has been a huge influx of Scottish immigrants over Victoria's history, from the time of the Gold Rush to the post-WW2 Ten Pound Scots," said Alister Macleod, Chairperson, Scots of Victoria Coordinating Group. 'Their influence has been felt in every corner of Victoria."

Scots profiled in the exhibition include former AC/DC front man Bon Scott, opera legend Dame Nellie Melba, and Sir Macpherson Robertson, who invented the Freddo Frog and Cherry Ripe and later funded an Australian Antarctic expedition. The exhibition also features a section that describes the development of the Victorian tartan.

'Victoria began as a British colony, so Scots –indeed anyone from Great Britain – have not been thought of as an ethnic migrant group of their own," said Mr Macleod. 'But they are, with their own unique culture and history."

To celebrate the launch of Scots Wha Hae, the Immigration Museum is hosting a one-day Scottish Fling festival on Sunday 16 November. Visitors will enjoy pipe bands, traditional and contemporary folk music and see energetic performances from highland and country dancers. There'll be traditional Scottish food, Shetland ponies and special workshops exploring the renaissance in the Scottish whisky industry.

-Scots Wha Hae is part of a series of cultural festivals and exhibitions at the Immigration Museum which aim to bring the stories of migrant communities to wider Melbourne,' said Antonia Lamanna, Acting Manager, Immigration Museum.

Scots Wha Hae will be on display until 31 May 2015 and was produced in partnership with the Scots of Victoria and the Immigration Museum.