The Scots were sailing in HBC ships. As Hudson's Bay Co. ships left England they would make stops in Scotland and the Shetlands and Orkneys to pick up last provisions and more employees. Many a Scotsman went to work in Hudson's Bay. Most of the 'factors' or buyers of fur were Scots. The rival company to the HBC, the Northwest Company was also full of Scot fur traders and explorers. Simon Fraser and Alexander MacKenzie amongst them. amongst them.