Bug, I think you may have got it straight for me there. This is not Scottish culture. It's North American Scottish-ness. ...and just like the other "Ness" it can become a monster.

Jock, I'll understand better now, thanks to Bug and CTBuchanan that what we do seems foreign to you. Please understand though, that what we are doing here is (in my new mind-set) not Scottishness adopted in North America. It's Scottish-ness that has become part of North America - a reflection, not an adoption, and certainly not an invasion of Scotland, and that means that it is in that form a part of our culture - not us borrowing yours. If that makes any sense at all.

Thanks for perervering as those of us with this point of view try to sort it out for ourselves, and thanks for tolerating me when I've been frustrated.