CNN names Scotland as world’s top travel destination for 2013

[Jock Scot]

The comments that follow the article just make me sad. Yes valid issues have been raised from all points of view, some pretty unpalletable ones at that and they do raise realistic points, but why oh why when some good news for Scotland arrives do we Scots have to be so grudging about it?

[mookien]

... but why oh why when some good news for Scotland arrives do we Scots have to be so grudging about it?

It's not just Scots. It's called "human cussedness". Personally, though I may agree/disagree with any particular point, I'm thankful for skeptics. They tend to maintain balance.

[TheOfficialBren]

The comments that follow the article just make me sad. Yes valid issues have been raised from all points of view, some pretty unpalletable ones at that and they do raise realistic points, but why oh why when some good news for Scotland arrives do we Scots have to be so grudging about it?

Jock, I reas the article and then the comments. I have often wondered about this aspect of Scottish culture. It seems to be a pretty consistant attitude throughout the history of the nation. It is very sad to see that so many people in that great nation seem to completely forget that they ARE a great people who have contributed mych to the world and deserve every accolade heaped upon them!
The Scots have overcome adversity and pretty much invented many of the aspects of the Free World we live in today (economics, trade, philosphy, liberty, et cetera) and yet they seem to have a GIANT chip on the shoulder. Why is that?

[cessna152towser]

The Scots have overcome adversity and pretty much invented many of the aspects of the Free World we live in today (economics, trade, philosphy, liberty, et cetera) and yet they seem to have a GIANT chip on the shoulder.

Scots in general do not have a chip on their shoulder but sadly as with all nationalities there are a small minority who do have a chip on their shoulder and who have nothing better to do with their time than troll websites and write silly comments, some of which are totally out of context to the article which they purport to comment on.
I thought it was a very positive and honest article, spoilt only by some of the stupid and irrelevant comments.

[TheOfficialBren]

Thank you foe your insight, Cessna152Towser. That is a valid point. In the US we are seeing a lot of the same thing,come to think about it.

[Downunder Kilt]

Jock, it's not just the Scottish people that do this kind of thing. Last year Melbourne was named as the worlds most livable city and Australia has now been named second best place in the world to be born next year, behind Switzerland. At both times the papers and websites were filled with the nay sayers writing about the doom and gloom side of the city and country. These people seem to get the lions share of publicity because it creates its own news

[Jock Scot]

Jock, I reas the article and then the comments. I have often wondered about this aspect of Scottish culture. It seems to be a pretty consistant attitude throughout the history of the nation. It is very sad to see that so many people in that great nation seem to completely forget that they ARE a great people who have contributed mych to the world and deserve every accolade heaped upon them!
The Scots have overcome adversity and pretty much invented many of the aspects of the Free World we live in today (economics, trade, philosphy, liberty, et cetera) and yet they seem to have a GIANT chip on the shoulder. Why is that?

Oh gosh I don't know! Is the chip on a Scots shoulder any bigger than any other nationality? It depends on the individual, I suppose. There is a saying that goes something like this, " put two Scots together to discuss a subject and you will have three opinions".

Historically, had the Scots stopped squabbling amongst themselves and concentrated on the matter in hand, then maybe, just maybe we would not be where we are now! Sadly we did it too many times, for our own good.

Without getting political, whatever the result of the current national discussion turns out to be, I fear, I really fear for Scotland if this self destruct button is not thrown into the deepest part of our deepest loch. Sadly whatever the result might be, I can see nothing in the Scots culture and nature that will regard the outcome as settled and can see another three hundred years of blaming everyone other than ourselves for the result. Just like the last three hundred years. Alright, I am admittedly being simplistic, but there is more than a grain of truth in there somewhere. Still at my age the future is not really a major concern to me, however I have three sons and---------------. It is for them I despair of the comments made, when with little effort and charity a positive reaction could easily ensue from this good news for us all.

[Phil]

I am not sure that the majority of these negative comments come from Scots people. There seems a strong undercurrent of negativity about Scotland and the Scots in most of the UK media these days and a lot of bile spouted about our politicians. My impression is that these people are unable to come up with any cogent argument to justify their point of view and resort to attempting crude character assassination of both individuals and the country as a whole. You really do have to treat these comments with a large pinch of salt, ignore the rants at either extreme and form your own opinion from the reasonably expressed views. So far, it seems, the only weapon in the armoury of these people is to promulgate negativity in the hope that a falsehood told often enough will eventually be believed.

[ForresterModern]

Sorry, did not read the article and probably will not as I have already set my own opinion from experience. I have enjoyed the two trips/three weeks I have spent in Scotland, all but two kilted, in various places and activities, and will always remember them fondly (at least till the Alzheimers advances further). To quote the Terminator "I'll be back", if only to make sure I pay up my dues of a dram or six of fine single malt scotch with Phil and Jock Scot, and maybe a few others I can scare up next time around.

[Jock Scot]

So, just when are you planning the trip Jeff? I mean, I shall have to work up a thirst and all that.