An elderly couple in the garden of a Scottish House in Veere, a city in the southwestern Netherlands, on Walcheren island in the province of Zeeland. Veere was the principal port used by Scottish wool traders in dealings with the Dutch between 1541 and 1799. At the beginning of the 16th century, trade with Scotland became important to the Island of Walcheren. In 1541, after considerable effort, Veere was granted staple-rights to Scottish Wool for the Low Countries, encouraging Scottish merchants to establish themselves there on a permanent basis. In exchange, this Scottish community received special privileges: it had its own church (part of the main church of Veere), jurisdiction and special accommodation. It also received tax exemptions. The ?Scottish Houses' functioned as offices, warehouses and living quarters.