Voices Over the Water

A Powerful Documentary About Scottish Immigration to the U.S.

A new documentary by filmmakers Guy Perrotta and Jane Ferguson will air on Rhode Island PBS WSBE on June 7, 2024, at 12pm and June 8 at 5pm. A presentation by WNED PBS, distributed through American Public Television, Voices Over the Water explores the struggles and triumphs of Scottish immigrants to the U.S. Voices Over the Water follows the story of Highland emigrants as they arrive in America, speaking a different language with distinctive dress and culture, and explores their contribution to America, and how their culture is celebrated today.

The documentary examines the Scottish diaspora and the ways in which they keep their heritage alive through Highland games, Tartan Day parades, ceilidhs (parties), Burns Nights, clan societies, Caledonian clubs, Scottish country dancing groups, and more. Dressed as colorful, tartan-clad warriors in what is known as Highland dress, this image of the Scotsman is instantly recognizable, often depicted in films, paintings, songs and poems. But what are the origins and the real history of the Highlands of Scotland? Why has the Highlander become the image for the whole of Scotland? And what is the appeal of the Scotsman for many Americans, whether of Scottish descent or not?

This film includes images from the Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival, residents of Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut who performed with the Mystic Scottish Country Dancers. As the filmmakers have noted, there were a large number of Scottish immigrants working in quarries and textile mills in places such as Central Falls and Pawtucket. John McNiff, Warwick native and former Park Ranger of the Roger Williams National Memorial, said, “My great-great grandmother was from Paisley (Glasgow, Scotland) and settled in Providence. She was looked down upon for her way of speaking.” The story of McNiff’s ancestor seems to correspond with that of Aonghas MacAoidh, a 19th-century Scottish Gaelic resident of Providence who empathized with the plight of the area’s Native inhabitants.

Those interested in seeing a trailer and learning more about Voices Over the Water may visit the documentary website.

Rhode Island PBS (WSBE) – June 7th @ 12pm & June 8th @ 5pm
Connecticut PBS (CPTV Spirit) – June 24th @ 10pm on Spirit

All other New England areas, check your local public television station schedule for dates and times. We will keep you updated when we receive more dates for New England area broadcasts on PBS.