Sikhism in Scotland includes all aspects of Sikh life and Sikhism in Scotland. Sikhs have been present in Scotland for over a century, with the first documented Sikh, Maharaja Daleep Singh, arriving in Perthshire in 1855. The next wave of migration was in early-to-mid 1920s when prominent Sikhs of the Bhat/Bhatra community established themselves in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, the bulk of Sikhs in Scotland come from families who immigrated during the late 20th century. In Scotland, Sikhs represented about 0.2% of the population (10,988) in the 2022 census.[1]
 | |
 Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Glasgow | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 10,988 – 0.2% (2022 Census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Glasgow City | 3,456 – 0.6% |
| City of Edinburgh | 1,395 – 0.3% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 869 – 0.8% |
| Renfrewshire | 835 – 0.5% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6,572 | — |
| 2011 | 9,055 | +37.8% |
| 2022 | 10,988 | +21.3% |
| Source: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland [2][3][1] | ||
History
editThe first documented Sikh in Scotland was Maharajah Duleep Singh, who moved to Scotland in 1854, taking up residence at the Grandtully estate in Perthshire.[4] According to the Scottish Sikh Association, the first Sikhs settled in Glasgow in the early 1920s with the first Gurdwara established in South Portland Street.[5] However, the bulk of Sikhs in Scotland come from families who immigrated during the late 20th century.
Demographics
edit| Council Area | 2011 Census | 2021 census |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | 129 | 165 |
| Aberdeenshire | 51 | 66 |
| Angus | 13 | 28 |
| Argyll and Bute | 13 | 48 |
| City of Edinburgh | 1,110 | 1,395 |
| Clackmannanshire | 29 | 41 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 101 | 76 |
| Dundee City | 152 | 164 |
| East Ayrshire | 88 | 126 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 942 | 869 |
| East Lothian | 65 | 98 |
| East Renfrewshire | 548 | 618 |
| Falkirk | 122 | 149 |
| Fife | 324 | 471 |
| Glasgow City | 3,149 | 3,456 |
| Highland | 60 | 54 |
| Inverclyde | 98 | 63 |
| Midlothian | 20 | 59 |
| Moray | 3 | 29 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 1 | 1 |
| North Ayrshire | 218 | 283 |
| North Lanarkshire | 371 | 672 |
| Orkney Islands | 3 | 3 |
| Perth and Kinross | 49 | 45 |
| Renfrewshire | 573 | 835 |
| Scottish Borders | 18 | 36 |
| Shetland Islands | 0 | 0 |
| South Ayrshire | 143 | 164 |
| South Lanarkshire | 385 | 619 |
| Stirling | 88 | 128 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 103 | 101 |
| West Lothian | 86 | 123 |
21st century
editAccording to the 2011 Census, 0.2% of Scotland's population identifies Sikhism as their religion.[6] Glasgow is the area with the most significant Sikh population in the country. Of the seven Gurdwaras in Scotland, four are in Glasgow, one in Edinburgh, one in Dundee and one in Irvine. Plans are also in place to open a Gurdwara in Aberdeen.[7]
Tartan
editScottish Sikhs have their own tartan,[8] and can be seen wearing kilts made from the material.[9][10]
Gurdwaras in Scotland
edit- Guru Nanak Gurdwara,[11] Dundee
- Guru Nanak Gurdwara,[12] Edinburgh
- Guru Nanak Gurdwara,[13] Glasgow (West End)
- Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha,[14] Glasgow (Central)
- Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara,[15] Glasgow (South Side)
- Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha,[16] Glasgow (South Side)
- Guru Nanak Gurdwara Irvine,[17] Irvine
Notable Scottish Sikhs
edit- Pam Gosal - Member of Scottish Parliament for West Scotland
- Hardeep Singh Kohli - Actor, comedian, presenter
- Sanjeev Kohli - Actor, comedian, presenter
- Tigerstyle - Music band of brothers Raj Singh and Pablo Singh
- Tony Singh - Chef
- Jagtar Singh Johal - Sikh activist[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data". Scotland's Census. National Records of Scotland. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024. Alternative URL 'Search data by location' > 'All of Scotland' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Religion'
- ^ "Census 2011: Religion: KS211NI (administrative geographies)". nisra.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ "Summary: Religious Group Demographics". scotland.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ On the trail of the Sikh heritage BBC News, 30 September 2008
- ^ Introduction scottishsikhs.com, accessed 13 January 2009
- ^ "Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS209SCb" (PDF). scotlandscensus.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ^ [1] Archived 2013-11-11 at the Wayback Machine aberdeensikhsangat.co.uk, accessed 20 February 2013
- ^ "Scotland's minorities adopt the kilt". Archived from the original on 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2008-12-13. Scotland's minorities adopt the kilt
- ^ "Leith Sikh tartan". Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- ^ "sikhchic.com | The Art and Culture of the Diaspora | Lord Iqbal Singh of Butley Manor".
- ^ Dundee Gurdwara
- ^ Edinburgh Gurdwara
- ^ Otago Street Gurdwara
- ^ Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha
- ^ St. Andrews Drive Gurudwara
- ^ Glasgow Gurdwara
- ^ Guru Nanak Gurdwara Irvine
- ^ Paterson, Kirsteen (15 November 2017). "Scottish activist 'tortured with electric shocks' in Indian prison". The National. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
External links
edit- Sikhs in Scotland
- Glasgow Gurdwara
- Central Gurdwara Archived 2013-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
- Edinburgh Gurdwara