It is an unfortunate universal phenomenon that if immigration is of a sufficient volume, the incomers are seen as a threat to the way of life by locals. Scottish history shows we are no exception.

The Church of Scotland in the 1920s and 30s was vicious towards Irish immigrants. In 1923, it reported on The Menace of the Irish Race. Edinburgh had six Protestant councillors after winning 31 per cent of the vote in 1936.

Morningside in 1935 saw one of the largest ever demonstrations against Irish Catholics. The Tory vote in the West drew heavily on Orange support. Even now, in some parts of our country, we live with those continuing prejudices, writes Jim Sillars in The Evening News