What is the history of the Ulster Scotts or Presbytarian Scotts?

Question

How and why did they immigrate to when and where?

Answer 1

The Scots and Irish have intermingled with each other for well over 1000 years. In fact the original Scots were an Irish tribe who settled in SW Scotland before 1000 AD. The Ulster Scots you are asking about settled in the northern part of Ireland mostly in what is now Northern Ireland, as well as the northern part of the Republic of Ireland. This part of Ireland is known as Ulster. This settlement mostly took place in the 17th and 18th centuries for various reasons. The main reason was a desire to own their own land. Large estates owned by the native Irish lords were forfeited when they rebelled against their English Rulers. This land was up for grabs by English and Scottish settlers who could afford it. These were mostly the younger sons of nobles who were unlikely to inherit the family estate. Often many of their fathers tenants went with them to Ulster.
Another reason was due to religious persecution. The Stuart Kings of England and Scotland outlawed Presbyterianism often on pain of death. So many Scots Presbyterians escaped to Ireland where they experienced some degree of freedom.
Famines also played a part in those days, usually the migration was both ways depending on where the famine was at the time. The persecution referred to above also created a man made famine in SW Scotland where most Ulster Scots came from.
James I (VI of Scotland) forced some of the more troublesome border families to move to Ireland to keep the peace on the English - Scottish Border.
The immigation was by boat which was fairly easy as the sea between Ireland and Scotland is reasonably sheltered and the distance between is only about 20 to 40 miles.

Answer 2

The scots were forced into Ireland by King James I to dilute the Catholic in Ireland. This occurred early in the 17th century. By 1700, the Scot-Irish came under so much religious pressure and persecution, that they moved out and my family, from Northern Ireland, went with them.

Answer 3

www.ulster-scots.co.uk should give you the info you are looking for in their history section. Wikipedia also has a good definition.