Historical policies impacting Gypsy/Traveller communities: Scottish Government's response
The Scottish Government’s response to the independent archival research report and the initial community consultation regarding historical policies that impacted Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland, colloquially known as "The Tinker Experiment(s)."
2. Engagement with Gypsy/Traveller community members in Scotland impacted by historical policies
A key part of understanding and responding to the impact of these historical policies involved more than just archival research - it also required directly hearing from the communities who were affected. Recognising this, a short community consultation was commissioned to engage with members of Gypsy/Traveller communities impacted by historical policies. This engagement aimed to gather their perspectives on how society, and particularly institutions like Scottish Government, can learn from past harms and take meaningful steps forward. These initial consultations were designed to ensure that the response to the archival research report is not only evidence-based but also grounded in the lived experiences and voices of those most impacted.
We fully acknowledge that this was a limited and brief process and does not constitute a full piece of in-depth qualitative research. Not everyone who wished to take part had the opportunity to do so. This consultation represents the beginning of a conversation - an initial step to understand the positions of impacted community members and what they hope to see going forward. This is not the end of the dialogue, and we are committed to continuing these conversations beyond the publication of the report.
The consultation process involved focus groups in Stirling, Dunfermline, and Pitlochry, facilitated by an independent and community-trusted consultant. This approach ensured that discussions were conducted in a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed manner. During these sessions, community members were invited to share personal experiences of the ‘Tinker Experiment’ policies and suggest ways in which Scottish Government and other institutions might acknowledge the past and commit to positive change. The findings from these discussions have been compiled into a final report, ensuring transparency and respect for their contributions.