Occupational Travellers are different from Gypsy/Travellers as they are a business community rather than an ethnic minority.
Occupational Travellers see themselves as business people who travel. They are not one of the groups that come under the term 'Gypsy/Traveller communities' although bits of their lifestyle may be similar.
Fairground Travellers (or Showmen)
Travelling Showpeople have a very strong identity. Traditionally their families tended to travel throughout the summer and stay in established sites during the winter, but now Travelling Showpeople can be on the road all year round and some even travel abroad.
Circus Travellers
Circus families tend not to be so close knit as other groups of Occupational Travellers. Circus acts can vary from year to year and so the same group doesn't always travel together. Circuses can contain families from all over the world, as the circus is an international business.
Data Source
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) – previously General Register office for Scotland (GROS) - is taking a census of Scotland’s population every ten years. The publication of the statistical data and information of the “Census 2011” is planned for autumn 2012.
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