Scots in Rhodesia

**BEEDEE** · 10th February 10, 02:09 PM

Don't know about Scottish groups there, but think it very likely since a majority of original settlers were Scots.

This from the Clan Graham website:

James Angus Graham, b. 1907, was the 7th Duke of Montrose and was also Earl of Kincardine; Viscount Dunduff, Lord Graham; Aberuthven; Mugdock and Fintry. He became a farmer in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and was a cabinet minister in the Rhodesian Government of Ian Smith. He moved to South Africa and later returned to Scotland before his death in 1992.

Brian

**saxandpipes** · 10th February 10, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

Don't know about Scottish groups there, but think it very likely since a majority of original settlers were Scots. This from the Clan Graham website: Brian

True. My family came through there, some ended up in NZ (my lot) and some in Rhodesia, a Great-Uncle of mine (John Wallace Downie) was a government minister and High Commissioner there. Anyway, they settled directly from Scotland (borders) there, and if they were anything like the rest of the family that ended up in NZ, you wouldn't even know they were Scottish- I think alot of people were just busy getting on with building a new life in their new country. After 1 generation, they were just Kiwis (or Rhodesians), now of course, we're so far removed, that we're all trying to link back to where THEY came from. Kind of off the topic, sorry, I'm also interested in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe as a country, and the history there, it seems that it was a very prosperous place. (Much like NZ a hundred years ago). The Scots certainly did a good job settling the world!

**macwilkin** · 10th February 10, 03:43 PM

The late Ian Smith (may he rest in peace!) was the son of a Scottish immigrant; his father, John "Jock" Douglas Smith, moved from Hamilton in the 1890s during the Gold Rush in South Africa. They were Scots Presbyterians.

saxandpipes: I haven't forgotten about the Clan Gunn badge, btw -- I will send it you very soon!

T.

**saxandpipes** · 10th February 10, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

The late Ian Smith (may he rest in peace!) was the son of a Scottish immigrant; his father, John "Jock" Douglas Smith, moved from Hamilton in the 1890s during the Gold Rush in South Africa. They were Scots Presbyterians.

saxandpipes: I haven't forgotten about the Clan Gunn badge, btw -- I will send it you very soon!

T.

Hey Todd,

No worries

Cheers

**CDNSushi** · 11th February 10, 07:01 AM

Rhodesia? Haven't heard that term in a long, long time. I thought it became Zimbabwe back in the 1970s...

**macwilkin** · 11th February 10, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

Rhodesia? Haven't heard that term in a long, long time. I thought it became Zimbabwe back in the 1970s...

1980, to be exact. There is limited information on the Scottish Community in Salisbury/Harare in Michael Turnbull's Scotland's Myth and Identity, but I was specifically looking for information about Scottish groups in activities in Southern and Independent Rhodesia.

T.