Tinkers, Pedlars, and Fortune Tellers

The Itinerant Trades of Old Scotland

Scotland’s past is filled with tales of wanderers—tinkers repairing pots, pedlars selling trinkets, and fortune tellers spinning grand prophecies. These itinerant traders, often seen as outcasts by mainstream society, played a vital role in the economy and culture of rural Scotland. Though they lived on the fringes, they were well-known figures, traveling familiar routes and stopping at the same farms and villages year after year.

Their lives were not easy. Many faced persecution, harsh laws, and social stigma, yet they persisted, adapting their trades and traditions to survive in a world that both needed and feared them. This blog explores the history, skills, and impact of Scotland’s wandering workers, shedding light on the lives of those who lived by their wits and their craft.