The Great Migration is a web series of short films about key moments in Ulster-Scots history. In this episode, the focus is on the Siege of Derry and the fallout of the Williamite Wars, and the beginning of the Ulster-Scots migration to North America.
This episode chronicles the life and legacy of James McGregor. The narrative begins with the Siege of Derry in 1689, a harrowing 105-day conflict that claimed 8,000 lives and cemented McGregor's place in history as a 12-year-old who defended the city by firing a cannon.
The story transitions to the struggles faced by Presbyterians in Ireland after their sacrifices in the Williamite Wars. It highlights the oppression of the Test Act, which imposed various civil disabilities on nonconformist Protestants and Catholics.
Determined to find freedom, McGregor led his congregation to America, taking with them flax seed, seed potatoes, and their spinning wheels - symbolic of their hopes for self-sufficiency. The poignant tradition of "Living Wakes," farewells that acknowledged the permanence of their departure, adds emotional depth to their journey.