Identity in the Scottish Diaspora

[Jock Scot]

Yes, yes, I get that.

But do you object to "David's ancestry is Scottish"?

I'm trying to sound the depths of the semantics, here.

No problem whatsoever. Its only to be expected after all, your ancestors are whatever they may be, wherever they hail from and no one can change that!

[davidlpope]

It's interesting for me to hear the current Lord Lyon on this subject:
https://vimeo.com/163536020

The most pertinent section is from 5:30-13:50.

[Father Bill]

It's interesting for me to hear the current Lord Lyon on this subject:
https://vimeo.com/163536020

The most pertinent section is from 5:30-13:50.

Of course, the Lord Lyon isn't a self-appointed expert so what would he know?

[ThistleDown]

Yes, yes, I get that.

But do you object to "David's ancestry is Scottish"?

I'm trying to sound the depths of the semantics, here.

Not I. It's a fact.

[Father Bill]

I guess when it's soon illegal to wear a kilt in Scotland, it'll be okay for Canadians of Scottish ancestry to wear them and be the only ones in the world.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/1...ilt/?ref=ebmpn

[davidlpope]

Do any of you believe - I do - that it is possible for your soul to be Scottish whatever your DNA or place of upbringing.

It seems to me that when most folks say, "My soul is *whatever*", what they really are expressing is that they strongly identify with a particular place/time/culture.

In that context I wouldn't say that "my soul is Scottish". "My soul is Southern, and North Carolinian." As much as the Scottish component of this culture is important, it's the amalgam of all the different cultures that I resonate with. Scotch-Irish Presbyterian rebelliousness is a big component of where I'm from and who I am. But it's coupled to a Welsh/English Baptist earnestness that knows how to make an altar call. And although my particular genetic ancestry doesn't include this influence, this culture that I am from necessarily reflects the important contribution of Africans. It's not an aberration that bluegrass ("let me play you the song of my people...") is based on the combination of Scotch-Irish fiddle and African banjo.

So, "Scottish soul"? Not for me. But Scottish ancestry/ Scottish heritage? Yes, please.

[Liam]

Bill,
I think at least 3 of my schoolmates became Professors at Canadian universities. They all wore the kilt in those days so they probably still do

Alan

You mean they have the right to do so outside the Highlands of Scotland?
(Another bit of sarcasm for those who might have missed it).😉
I got the impression that they should totally forget where they came from, or maybe their children or grandchildren should.
I realize that for those who have never moved more than 50 miles from where their ancestors lived, that this is a foreign concept, but those of us who have will continue your education just as you continue ours.😉😉😉

[The Wizard of BC]

You mean they have the right to do so outside the Highlands of Scotland?

Ah, but did they get that permission in writing from the experts on who can and cannot wear a kilt?

[jfraser]

Alan, Jock,

To continue the discussion so that I can better understand your views:

Do folks in Scotland hyphenate their cultural identity? In other words, we have "African-Americans", "German-Americans", Irish-Americans", etc. Do this same practice exist in Scotland? How would a first-generation Scot of Pakistani parents describe himself?

It seems that at least some Scots of recent immigrant backgrounds think that retaining items of cultural significance are important:




Likewise, some Americans of recent immigrant backgrounds have not given up the kilt:

Do you mean something like this? This has been copied from the net, not my definition.

In Scotland the term Anglo-Scot, often shortened to Anglos, is used to refer to people born in Scotland with English ancestry. The term Anglo-Scot is more often used to describe Scottish sports players who are based in England or playing for English teams.

Or maybe:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/1...o__I_m_a_Scot/

[EagleJCS]

I got the impression that they should totally forget where they came from, or maybe their children or grandchildren should.

Liam, I think my ancestors did just that. "We're in America now, by gum, and we're going to BE Americans from here on out!" I think that's one reason why we don't yet know for certain when/where my paternal line came from originally. It just wasn't important enough to remember what with trying to establish/maintain a life on the frontier. (My paternal line settled in Kentucky around 1790 or so.) The paper trail has been difficult to reconstruct.

I prefer to say I'm a Kentuckian, or describe myself as an "American mutt" if pressed for heritage info after an introduction. If later on discussing family roots, then I get into the "2-hour discussion/explanation" of my different family lines and backgrounds.

I got into kilt-wearing by way of learning to play the bagpipes. When I went to my first Highland Games for a band competition, I discovered the Clan Scott Society, etc., and the rest - as 'they' say - is history.