An Open Question for 'Jock Scot' (and Scots)

[BCAC]

I really tried to keep out of this thread, honestly. This is the 8th time I've typed out a reply only to hestitate in sending it for fear of upsetting people through my misunderstanding. There is soooo much to say. I will try to keep it short. On the whole, I agree with Jock's views.

Being en Ex-pat myself, that side of things I understand very well. One thing about Ex-pats I don't understand is how they can take another Nationality. That is one thing that I just couldn't do.

THE thing that I just don't get is that there are some people who were born in the USA with Scottish connections a few generations away, and they spend pots (and pots) of money to buy (only) bespoke highland garments (kilts, jackets etc(and are a bit "snobbish" about this)), some even spend more and more pots of money to get official documents signed to make them "someone" in their clan (to which they are legitimately entitled). These people give the impression that, from the bottom of their heart (and their wallet) they desperately want to be Scottish. Do these people know that no matter how much money they spend or how many documents they pay for they will NEVER be a Scotsman?

I don't want to upset anyone (which is why I tried to stay out of this thread) but a lot of these people seem to be looking for an excuse for wearing their bespoke kilts, kinda like my gggggggggggggrandfather came over from the Isle of Muckle, and he was someone in the clan MacFudge, so I'm wearing this and getting the right documents signed to be someone also in the clan MacFudge to honor him.

If you want to wear the kilt, then wear it! You don't need an excuse. Jock will always tell you how it's done in the Highlands.

I don't see the need to delve deeply into my ancestry, either. I'm Scottish, my parents are Scottish, my grandparents are Scottish. This I know because I lived among them. I don't need to know any further. Maybe there are some strange "roots" in the family tree somewhere long ago, but I just don't feel the need to know (much less the need to "honor" these possible long lost ancestors).

Another thing that comes to mind. You're all Scottish-American, or Scots-Irish-American or something-American. There don't seem to be many Americans around (but then again, if there are any, they probably don't come on this site).

Maybe you have to be in this situation (as explained by Rocky) to understand that part of it.

I'm sorry if I upset or angered anyone, this is simply my few words on a difficult subject hard to understand. Maybe we'll all have to agree to disagree and perhaps it would be better for everyone if we stopped trying to understand!