The Travelling People
Song by Luke Kelly
got no fixed abode with nomads I am numbered
country lanes and bye ways were always my ways
I never fancied being lumbered
the small birds sang when winter time was over
then we’d pack our load and be on the road
they were good old times for the rover
stay a week or two for time was not your master
nice and easy no need to go faster
hear the news or else swop family information
at the country fairs we’d be meeting there
all the people of the travelling nation
And I’ve even done some begging and some hawkin’
and I’ve lain there spent wrapt up in my tent
and I’ve listened to the old folks talking
every tinker rolling stone and gypsy rover
winds of change are blowing old ways are going
your travelling days will soon be over
By Bill Heaney
“The Travelling People” is a poignant folk song written by Ewan MacColl in the 1960s. The song is part of MacColl’s efforts to document and celebrate the lives of Irish and Scottish Travellers and Gypsy communities. It reflects themes of displacement, discrimination, cultural identity, and the erosion of traditional ways of life. And it’s something that’s been happening here in West Dunbartonshire right now and for most of the last century.
Tinkers have always been treated like the scum of the earth in my lifetime, and it was for this that First Minister John Swinney and the whole Scottish Parliament – there were no dissenters – chose to apologise to them.
The lyrics of the song reflect the struggles of Traveller communities, who often faced eviction, discrimination, and loss of their traditional nomadic lifestyles due to government policies and societal pressures. The song conveys a sense of loss and longing for freedom.
Traveller communities have had a hard time – and often not without good reason – in Dumbarton over many years.
Wherever they parked their caravans, trouble usually followed. When they set down on the Clyde shore at Havoc, which was often, local people complained they couldn’t walk along there because of their fear they would be attacked by travellers’ dogs.
Then there was always a problem with the mess they left behind, especially when hounded out of Havoc they set up their pitch at the foot of the rolling lawns of lovely Levengrove and on the site of the old Hiram Walker distillers in Castle Street.
This was despite a custom built travellers site with 20 spaces having been set up for them at the old Dennystoun Forge in the Phoenix Park near Dalreoch railway station.
Despite the hardships described in the song above, there is an underlying tone of pride in the Traveller way of life, including their rich oral traditions, music, and craftsmanship. Ewan MacColl’s lyrics celebrate the resilience and cultural heritage of these communities.
The song is a critique of society’s treatment of nomadic peoples. Travellers were often seen as outcasts and faced prejudice from the settled population. And MacColl highlights the unfairness of these attitudes and policies.
Ewan MacColl was a man known for his social activism and often wrote songs that expressed solidarity with marginalized groups. “The Travelling People” is a call for compassion and understanding for a community often overlooked and mistreated
The song was written during a time when Traveller communities in the Scotland and Ireland faced increasing displacement due to urbanization and modernization following the Second World War.
MacColl was deeply influenced by the British and Irish folk revivals and sought to preserve the stories and struggles of working-class and marginalized people, which were sung in local folk clubs in the Dumbuck Hotel and the SNP Hall in Wallace Street, where Luke Kelly once entertained a large audience.
The song is considered an important piece in the broader conversation about human rights, cultural preservation, and empathy for minority communities.
Naturally, it was taken up by the late Shane McGowan and the Pogues.
Traveller Site in Dumbarton
West Dunbartonshire currently has one travelling persons site with 20 bays. It is located in Dennystoun Forge, Dumbarton G82 4BW and created when the town council of the day was seriously criticised for failing to make housing provision for the community.
Anyone wishing to apply for a pitch on the WDC Gypsy Traveller Site at Dennystoun Forge should complete a standard Application Form.
Question 26 includes a tick box option ‘Gypsy Travellers’ Site’ under the incongruous heading ‘House Type’ which should be ticked if applying for a pitch.
The Scottish Housing Regulator has published a new poster for Gypsy / Travellers who use sites provided by social landlords.
The poster aimed to raise awareness of the standards landlords are expected to deliver against the Scottish Social Housing Charter.
The Regulator’s poster includes information about important areas of landlords’ services such as how quickly and how well repairs are dealt with, the amount of rent people are expected to pay, how the landlord should communicate, and how the landlord is performing.
The poster follows a report published last year which highlighted the need for landlords to improve services to Gypsy/Travellers.
Copies of the poster have been displayed at the Gypsy/Traveller site at Dennystoun Forge.
Pam Gosal, the Conservative list MSP, was the only person to mention Dumbarton in this debate.AN APOLOGY: Scotland that truly honours and celebrates the rich culture of Travellers
Last Wednesday was the day when Scotland said sorry for the way travellers have been treated over a long number of years.
“Since its inception, the Parliament has demonstrated its willingness to address uncomfortable and, for some, incredibly painful elements of our national story. My statement today is set in that context.
“I invite Parliament to consider that only by confronting those difficult truths from our past are we 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.
“It falls to the Government to state, without ambiguity, that what happened to Gypsy Traveller communities in Scotland was unacceptable. That starts with formally acknowledging and apologising for the harm caused by those actions. It is clear to the Government that stark prejudice and lack of cultural awareness led to a series of unfair and unjust policies.
“Those policies resulted in children being removed from families and in families being forced to live in substandard accommodation and degrading conditions.
“The trauma that that has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as victims of the tinker experiments, is significant and lasting.
“As First Minister of Scotland, I want to say directly to Gypsy Traveller communities: the tinker experiments should not have happened. Those policies were wrong, and we recognise how much they are still hurting so many today. More than anything else, I want to say this: on behalf of Scotland, we are sorry.
“We have come a long way since the tinker experiments, but there is still much to do. We still see prejudice and ignorance today. Indeed, discrimination towards Gypsy Travellers is often described as ‘the last bastion of respectable racism’. It is not.
“We must be united in unequivocally condemning all forms of hatred, discrimination and prejudice, particularly those that still cause members of 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.”
Mr Swinney added: “This statement comes at a particularly important time. Every June, we celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller history month. Through celebration, education and raising awareness, the month plays a vital role in challenging prejudice, amplifying the voices of Gypsy Traveller and Roma communities and reshaping public understanding.
2The national event organised by the Scottish Government at Dynamic Earth [in Edinburgh] last week highlighted the important work that is being carried out by many of our national and local partners to improve the lives of Gypsy Traveller communities in Scotland. It also celebrated the rich culture and heritage of those communities. I understand that the event was very well attended and very well received, and I warmly encourage members—indeed, anyone—to attend similar events in the future.
“We must all play our part in eradicating racism, inequality and injustice, and in building a better, fairer world where every person has the same opportunities and where everyone’s individual needs are recognised and met.
“We can achieve that only by working together in partnership, ensuring that communities are at the heart of our discussions.
“That is why a short, initial community consultation was commissioned to engage with members of Gypsy Traveller communities impacted by historical policies. The Minister for Equalities, the late Christine McKelvie, attended one of those sessions in person, and I know that she was deeply moved by the powerful insights and experiences that were shared with such courage.
“We recognise that revisiting past trauma is never easy, and we are truly grateful for the generosity and openness shown by members of the community throughout this process.
“We are also aware that others might still wish to share their stories, and I want to reassure them that the Government is here to listen, whenever and however those individuals feel ready to explain their story.
“We have now published a summary of the results of the consultation along with the archival research report, and we are keen to continue the conversation to find the best and most effective way forward.
“We also recognise that historical policies have affected individuals and groups differently with direct and indirect impacts. Those effects vary, based on multiple factors, and often carry intergenerational consequences. Understanding that complexity is crucial as we work toward collective progress on the issue.
Improving the lives of our Gypsy Traveller communities is essential if we are to tackle deep-rooted inequalities and deliver a fairer Scotland. The progress that we have made since the events that are outlined in the report is significant.
“It is a testament to the collaborative work of national and local government, the dedication and tireless efforts of third sector organisations and, most of all, the determination of Gypsy Travellers to ensure better futures for their communities.
“Since the publication of our first “Gypsy/Travellers action plan”, the Scottish Government has taken specific actions to improve the lives of Gypsy Traveller communities in Scotland in key areas such as accommodation, tackling discrimination and improving representation and access to public services and education. Last year, we published an updated action plan, building on the successes that we have had to date.
“At the same time, we recognise that there is still much more work to be done. The experiences that have been shared underline the need for systemic change, greater accountability and, crucially, a shift in attitudes at every level. We must do better.
“Recognising the harm that is caused by this prejudice is only the first step; it must be followed by meaningful action. That includes challenging stereotypes, confronting everyday discrimination and committing to long-term efforts that promote understanding, respect and equity for Gypsy Travellers.
“We have reached this moment due to the efforts of many people. Individuals in Gypsy Traveller communities have argued with care and tenacity for these injustices to be addressed. Some have not lived long enough to hear the words that I am sharing with the Parliament today. I pay tribute to their commitment to the pursuit of justice.”
Mr Swinney paid tribute to his late colleague and former Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie.
He said: “She fought tirelessly to address the inequality and injustice that Gypsy Traveller communities faced. I know that this apology would be the recognition and the long-anticipated justice that she worked so hard to deliver for so many. I pay tribute to Christina McKelvie, who always listened to those who suffered injustice and acted to address that injustice.
“Our hope is that we now have a foundation on which to continue building trust and fostering renewed relationships with all those who have been impacted by historical policies. As we look ahead, the Scottish Government is determined to maintain a strong leadership role in advocating for the rights of Gypsy Traveller individuals and in celebrating the rich history, culture and contribution of these communities.
“An apology is not the end of the conversation; it is, I hope, the beginning of a new conversation. We want to continue the dialogue and to work together to keep improving the lives of Gypsy Traveller individuals, families and communities in Scotland—that is the commitment that I make to the communities and to the Parliament today. Our duty is to address the errors of the past and to work for a better future.”
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