Quote Originally Posted by hospitaller View Post
This is somewhat of a personal pet peeve...the use of 'i'm Scottish' by people who obviously are not Scottish.

Being Scottish is like being German or being Chilean or being a US Citizen. You either are born there or you become one.

Currently I am Chilean, but when my citizenship finally comes through, I will be a US Citizen (an 'American'), but I still am not Scottish.

My grandma was Scottish so I guess that makes me 25% Scot.

I have minor Spanish (Spain) nobility blood in my ancestry, yet I am not Spanish and certainly I am not a noble.

I also have Russian and German blood in my ancestry, yet I am not Russian or German.

I am of Scottish heritage, and I have Scottish ancestry. Just as I am of Spanish, German and Russian ancestry.

Just something to consider when answering that question.

Just as we look down on people claiming to be something they are not, or claiming to be of a nationality they obviously are not of, we should remember that we are not Scottish, we do however have Scottish blood and that is just as good.

Just had to get it off my chest.
Like Greg said, I think most people (not born in Scotland) simply mean 'Scottish heritage' when they say, "I'm Scottish."

Being Scottish is not the same as being an American (or Canadian). One cannot become Scottish because Scotland hasn't been a sovereign nation for 301 years. One can become a British subject, but cannot become a 'Scottish citizen' as the concept does not exist.