Gypsies/Travellers have been in Scotland for many centuries and still retain their own cultures and customs.
The term 'Gypsy/Traveller' refers to distinct groups - such as Romany Gypsies, Scottish and Irish Travellers - who regard the travelling lifestyle as being part of their ethnic identity.
There are also other types of Traveller, such as Occupational Travellers and New Age Travellers: distinct groups who do not regard themselves as Gypsies/Travellers.
In Scotland today many Gypsies/Travellers live on authorised council sites, while others live on private sites or roadside encampments. Access to health, education and social services can be difficult for Gypsies/Travellers.
The Scottish Government has continued to fund the Twice Yearly Count of Gypsy/Traveller households on sites and in encampments.
The Count has never been intended as a measure of the whole Gypsy/Traveller population in Scotland; there are practical difficulties in identifying families within permanent settled accommodation. But it does provide the Scottish Government and local authorities with a reference point for the development of policy and provision of services.
July 2008 count