Scotland’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History with Nawken (Scottish Traveller) Davie Donaldson

“This lellum’s mangin is naggins tae (this land’s story is mine too)”.

We know that Travellers have been in Scotland since at least the 12th century. Since the medieval times, Scotland’s travelling communities have played a myriad of roles, including ballad singers, craftspeople and pearl fishers.

Travellers have been immortalised in art and literature and have contributed a lot to Scotland’s heritage.

But despite the important roles they’ve played throughout Scotland’s story, Travellers have often been pushed to the margins and have faced persecution. We rarely talk about their contributions and experiences to Scotland’s heritage.

Today many continue to travel Scotland’s roads, passing their culture and traditions to a new generation.

Watch as Nawken (Scottish Traveller) Davie Donaldson tells some of Scotland’s Traveller stories.