Latest news with #TinkerExperiments
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Swinney apologises to Gypsy-Travellers for 'stark prejudice'
The First Minister said the country must confront the 'difficult truths' but said more work was needed to eradicate the prejudice that still exists. It comes as a report by St Andrews University highlighted a number of failings, including children being trafficked from their homes. Efforts to assimilate Gypsy-Travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the 1800s. But it escalated with the Tinker Experiments from 1940s to 1980s, when Gypsy-Travellers were told their children would be removed if they did not leave their nomadic lifestyle for settlements. These settlements were inadequate, with no running water, sewage system or electricity. Many concerns still exist today. The First Minister said: "The trauma that this has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as 'victims of Tinker Experiments', is significant and lasting. "So, as First Minister of Scotland, I want to say this directly to Gypsy/Traveller communities: The 'Tinker Experiments' should not have happened. "These policies were wrong. And we recognise how much it is still hurting so many. "And more than anything else I want to say this: On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry." READ MORE: Check out these 13 iconic Scottish words just added to the dictionary READ MORE: Glasgow's new ship hall opened in honour of woman shipbuilding pioneer Mr Swinney said it was clear that "stark prejudice and and a lack of cultural awareness led to a serious of unfair and unjust policies". He added: "I invite Parliament to consider that only by confronting these difficult truths from our past, we are able to move forward - learning from the mistakes of the past as we work towards a more just and equitable Scotland – a Scotland that truly honours and celebrates the rich culture of Gypsy/Travellers." Campaigners have described the apology as "welcome" and long overdue. However, they have warned redress must now follow. Roseanna McPhee and her siblings have lived in the Bobbin Mill settlement in Perth most of their lives after their parents were forcibly settled there in 1957. She said the aim of keeping them in insufficient accommodation would persuade them to assimilate into the wider community over time, thereby "eradicating" the Gypsy-Traveller community. Following the apology, Ms McPhee said there was never any effort to integrate Gypsy-Travellers into towns. "We only got hot water and electricity in 2010. "We were bullied at school and discriminated against all our lives, it's been very hard to get gainful employment and we're still harassed here at Bobbin Mill. "A crime against humanity has been committed against Scottish Gypsy-Travellers, and is ongoing today." She said: "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution. "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution what was done to me and my siblings. The Scottish Government needs to start implementing the recommendations in the report as one means of achieving restitution, including making Bobbin Mill a protected site of historic and cultural significance."
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Gypsy-Travellers 'deflated' by John Swinney's apology
Efforts to assimilate Gypsy-Travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the 1800s, but escalated with the Tinker Experiment from 1940 to 1980, when families were told their children would be removed if they did not leave their nomadic lifestyles for settlements. The settlements they were placed in were inadequate, with no running water or electricity, according to a St Andrews University report which highlighted significant failings. Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Swinney said the Tinker Experiments 'should not have happened', adding the impacts have been 'significant and lasting'. 'I want to say this: on behalf of Scotland, we are sorry,' he said. The apology has been welcomed by leading campaigners, including Dr Lynne Tammi-Connolly, who leaked a draft copy of the report earlier this year amid concerns the Scottish Government were seeking to erase some of the details. But financial compensation and funding for a memorial for the children trafficked away from their homes is needed, campaigners have said. She told The Herald: 'I'm a bit deflated, to be honest. Read more: 'We were expecting that there would be a commitment, at least some short-term offers, particularly in terms of a right to redress for people who are still living in the Tinker Experiment. 'I hoped there would be mention of a memorial to children that were trafficked, so this whole 'this is just the beginning, and we'll have conversations', this is what we have been doing for decades now.' She added: 'For me and many of the other campaigners, who have been in this for decades, we're not getting any younger. I don't have good health and it really is a case of how long we can wait. 'It's not about being impatient, it's about how much longer we have to wait.' She added that other campaigners will be 'disappointed'. 'I feel like I am going to have to continue pressurising and pushing government. Have we actually moved any further forward? I'm not sure that we have.' Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Swinney said: "The trauma that this has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as 'victims of Tinker Experiments', is significant and lasting. "So, as First Minister of Scotland, I want to say this directly to Gypsy/Traveller communities: The 'Tinker Experiments' should not have happened. "These policies were wrong. And we recognise how much it is still hurting so many. "And more than anything else I want to say this: On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry." Read more: Mr Swinney said it was clear that "stark prejudice and and a lack of cultural awareness led to a serious of unfair and unjust policies". He added: "I invite Parliament to consider that only by confronting these difficult truths from our past, we are able to move forward - learning from the mistakes of the past as we work towards a more just and equitable Scotland – a Scotland that truly honours and celebrates the rich culture of Gypsy/Travellers." Roseanna McPhee and her siblings have lived in the Bobbin Mill settlement in Perth most of their lives after their parents were forcibly settled there in 1957. She said the aim of keeping them in insufficient accommodation would persuade them to assimilate into the wider community over time, thereby "eradicating" the Gypsy-Traveller community. Following the apology, Ms McPhee said there was never any effort to integrate Gypsy-Travellers into towns. "We only got hot water and electricity in 2010. "We were bullied at school and discriminated against all our lives, it's been very hard to get gainful employment and we're still harassed here at Bobbin Mill. "A crime against humanity has been committed against Scottish Gypsy-Travellers, and is ongoing today." She said: "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution. "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution what was done to me and my siblings. The Scottish Government needs to start implementing the recommendations in the report as one means of achieving restitution, including making Bobbin Mill a protected site of historic and cultural significance."
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Swinney apologises to Gypsy-Travellers for 'stark prejudice'
It comes as a report by St Andrews University highlighted a number of failings, including children being trafficked from their homes. Efforts to assimilate Gypsy-Travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the 1800s. But it escalated with the Tinker Experiments from 1940s to 1980s, when Gypsy-Travellers were told their children would be removed if they did not leave their nomadic lifestyle for settlements. These settlements were inadequate, with no running water, sewage system or electricity. Many concerns still exist today. The First Minister said: "The trauma that this has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as 'victims of Tinker Experiments', is significant and lasting. "So, as First Minister of Scotland, I want to say this directly to Gypsy/Traveller communities: The 'Tinker Experiments' should not have happened. Read more: "These policies were wrong. And we recognise how much it is still hurting so many. "And more than anything else I want to say this: On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry." Mr Swinney said it was clear that "stark prejudice and and a lack of cultural awareness led to a serious of unfair and unjust policies". He added: "I invite Parliament to consider that only by confronting these difficult truths from our past, we are able to move forward - learning from the mistakes of the past as we work towards a more just and equitable Scotland – a Scotland that truly honours and celebrates the rich culture of Gypsy/Travellers." Campaigners have described the apology as "welcome" and long overdue. However, they have warned redress must now follow. Roseanna McPhee and her siblings have lived in the Bobbin Mill settlement in Perth most of their lives after their parents were forcibly settled there in 1957. She said the aim of keeping them in insufficient accommodation would persuade them to assimilate into the wider community over time, thereby "eradicating" the Gypsy-Traveller community. Following the apology, Ms McPhee said there was never any effort to integrate Gypsy-Travellers into towns. "We only got hot water and electricity in 2010. "We were bullied at school and discriminated against all our lives, it's been very hard to get gainful employment and we're still harassed here at Bobbin Mill. "A crime against humanity has been committed against Scottish Gypsy-Travellers, and is ongoing today." She said: "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution. "This apology is a welcome first step in an ongoing conversation to help realise victims' rights to restitution what was done to me and my siblings. The Scottish Government needs to start implementing the recommendations in the report as one means of achieving restitution, including making Bobbin Mill a protected site of historic and cultural significance."
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
'We are sorry': John Swinney officially apologises to Gypsy Travellers for 'Tinker Experiment'
The Scottish Government admits the decades-long social 'Tinker Experiment' 'should not have happened'. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government has officially apologised to Gypsy Travellers for the 'trauma' of the 'Tinker Experiment'. First Minister John Swinney says the decades-long social experiment to 'settle' Gypsy Traveller communities, which saw many children forcibly removed from their families and placed in care, 'should not have happened'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, he said: 'The trauma that this has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as victims of Tinker Experiments, is significant and lasting. 'So, as First Minister of Scotland, I want to say this directly to Gypsy Traveller communities - the Tinker Experiments should not have happened. First Minister John Swinney | Press Association 'These policies were wrong, and we recognise how much it is still hurting so much, and more than anything else I want to say this - on behalf of Scotland, we are sorry.' The 'Tinker Experiment' began in the 1940s and saw families forced to leave their lives on the road for settlements - many were then deliberately housed in substandard and overcrowded accommodation in sites across Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Swinney added there is still more that needs to be done as discrimination towards Gypsy Traveller communities are 'the last bastion of respectable racism'. The First Minister said: 'We must be united in unequivocally condemning all forms of hatred, discrimination and prejudice, particularly those that still cause members of the Gypsy Traveller communities in Scotland to feel unsafe, unwelcome, or marginalised in their daily lives or in the expression of their identity and way of life.' He now says the government will work to 'challenge stereotypes' and 'confront everyday discrimination'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Swinney said: 'An apology is not the end, but I hope the beginning of a new conversation. 'We want to continue this dialogue and work together to keep improving the lives of Gypsy Traveller individuals, families and communities in Scotland.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
John Swinney apologises to travellers for 'Tinker Experiment'
First Minister John Swinney has apologised for a state-sanctioned social experiment on Scotland's Gypsy what is known as the "Tinker Experiments", which ran from the 1940s to 1980s, authorities aimed to "settle" travellers by forcing them to leave their lives on the road for permanent involved parents being threatened with having their children taken from them and put into care if they refused to leave their settlements on said sorry for the "injustice and prejudice" of the historic policies, the impact of which he said was still felt today. 'Unfair and unjust' In a statement to parliament, the first minister said: "It falls to this government to state without ambiguity that what happened to Gypsy Traveller communities was unacceptable."It is clear to the government that stark prejudice and lack of cultural awareness led to a series of unfair and unjust policies."These policies resulted in children being removed from their families and families were forced to live in sub-standard accommodation and degrading conditions."Swinney told MSPs: "The Tinker Experiments should not have happened. Those policies were wrong and we recognise it is still hurting so many today."He added: "On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry." Swinney's statement coincided with the publication of an independent report into the experiments that was commissioned by his government. It concluded that the social experiments were a form of "cultural genocide". The report, produced by academics at the University of St Andrews, found that the UK government's Scottish Office, as well as churches, charities, local authorities and police, were complicit in facilitating forced assimilation, settlement and the removal of academics said this involved traveller children being placed into care, forced to attend industrial schools or adopted by non-traveller families in Scotland and report recommend that the Scottish government, as the body now responsible for the issue, gives an apology and considers paying compensation to those affected. The university report's draft findings have been explored in a BBC podcast called The Cruelty - Stolen Generations, presented by Davie Donaldson, who comes from the traveller told BBC Scotland News: "The belief was that if older travellers were forcibly settled, they would forget about their culture. "And as the generations went on the younger travellers could be boarded out or placed in institutions and be brought up as non-travellers, and by doing that they would eradicate the culture."It really is a really dark period in Scottish history and one that sadly few people have heard of until today." Members of Scotland's traveller community have been campaigning for an apology for their treatment for to "assimilate" travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the late 1800s, with the authorities aiming to force them into "normal" Travellers were settled on sites across Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire, Argyll, Highlands, Perthshire, Fife and the is not know precisely how many were forced from this life, or how many children were forcibly removed.
