Scottish Canadians have a rich history and significant presence in Canada. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, with over 4.7 million people claiming Scottish descent as of the 2016 Census. Scots have been immigrating to Canada for over 200 years, contributing to the country’s development in various fields such as exploration, education, business, politics, and the arts.
Many places in Canada reflect Scottish heritage, including the province of Nova Scotia, which means “New Scotland” in Latin. Cities like Calgary and Banff are named after locations in Scotland. Prominent Canadians of Scottish descent include Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, and Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone.