Stitchers: Paul Gogolinski, Magdalena Gogolinski, Cecylia Pielok (Warsaw)
As the bridge between East and West, Poland was an attractive land of opportunities for enterprising Scots. There were vast numbers heading there by the seventeenth century, often inhabiting places like Stare Szkoty (Old Scotland) in Danzig/Gdansk. Many of course lacked the means or connections to establish themselves in formal trade, and therefore became travelling salesmen: the word Scot became synonymous with a pedlar. Such work brought little status or popularity, and mothers would threaten their children “just you wait until the Scotsman comes (warte bis der Schotte kommt)!” Most eventually settled down and successfully integrated into their new communities.
PL01 Na Ceannaichean-siubhail Bochda
Mar an drochaid eadar an Taobh Sear agus an Taobh Siar, bha a’ Phòlainn na dùthaich tharraingich làn chothroman do dh’Albannaich iomairteach. Bha àireamhan fìor mhòr a’ dèanamh an slighe an sin anns an t-seachdamh linn deug, glè thric a’ gabhail còmhnaidh ann an àiteachan mar Stare Szkoty (Seann Alba) ann an Danzig/Gdansk. Bha mòran dhiubh gun teagamh aig nach robh an t-airgead no na ceanglaichean gus iad fhèin a stèidheachadh ann am malairt foirmeil, agus mar sin thòisich iad ann an dreuchdan nan ceannaichean siubhail: thàinig am facal Albannach gu bhith comhchiallach ri ceannaichesiubhail. Cha robh obair mar sin a’ tarraing mòran inbhe no spèis, agus bhiodh màthraichean a’ bagairt air an cuid chloinne le “fuirich thusa gus an tig an tAlbannach (warte bis der Schotte kommt)!” Shocraich a’ mhòr-chuid dhiubh agus bha iad soirbheachail aig deireadh gnothaich gam filleadh fhèin a-steach do an coimhearsnachdan ùra.