Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[neloon]

Jock (post # 177) and Calgacus (post # 178) have remarked on Scotland "reviewing its place in the modern world". To expand on this, we need to go back a couple of hundred years (which is not that far - my great grandfather was born in 1812). At that time, half the world map was coloured pink and Scots were playing a completely disproportionate part in the Empire. They were explorers, administrators, diplomats, teachers, missionaries, tea planters, jute traders, (kilted) soldiers, engineers (my grandfather spent most of his days as a marine engineer in Singapore and my father helped to design Lagos harbour) and so on. Those who stayed in Scotland dug coal for the Empire, built ships on the Clyde for the Empire, built locomotives for the Empire. Scotland had status in the world. Victoria and her family were kilt devotees so Highland Dress, clans, chiefs, heather and shortbread were the order of the day in a proud Scotland.

But, in the 20 years after the WW2, the Empire evaporated and with it, Scotland's self-confidence. So modern Scotland struggles to regain a small element of that status, to be able to look at itself with self respect again. The result is a rather schizophrenic psyche, reflected in attitudes to the question that we may not currently discuss on this forum but also to a perceived battle between head and heart. The "head" people (such as Harry?) say we must be modern - be hyper-connected with the world on its terms, concentrate on being innovative, get rid of all that old tartan nonsense (after all, the young "Royals" won't go near the kilt). That's the way forward for a vibrant new Scotland that can today welcome 71 countries from around the world to the Commonwealth Games, they say.

But the heart is still beating deep down. So if we puzzle some of you, we puzzle ourselves as well.
Alan

[Jock Scot]

I agree with almost all you say. However," Harry" is more of the anti romantic school and is very aware of his family's part in Scotland's path through time, but I don't see him as an avid modernist, although Scotland retaking possession of the kilt is very much in his mind. That is why I was so taken(and shaken) by his comment.

[Calgacus]

Having re-read Jock's original post, the problem here is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Harry used to wear his kilt now and again, like some Scots do, but not many. So few in fact that numerically, quite a lot of the kilt wearers seen on any given day are actually tourists 'living the dream'. Harry does not want to be taken for a tourist so he begins to wear his kilt less frequently. By doing so, he is reinforcing the very thing he bemoans. If 'Scotland retaking possession of the kilt' is important to him why are his actions counter to his intentions?

I respectfully put it to you that Harry is a sheep, not a goat. He does not wish to lead from the front, and is instead taking the easy way out, waiting for half of Scotland to don their kilts before he follows suit. He'll be waiting a long time however, because most folk are 'Harrys' too. Sheep, not goats, and act in just the way he has.

Just thinking out loud, I could be entirely wrong!

[Jock Scot]

That is my view too.

[Calgacus]

Just as an addendum to that, let's be clear. I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Scots, not the tourists. Tourists can wear kilts if they want in my view. More power to them! It's no good saying "I want Scots to take the kilt back for themselves!" if when asked "Well then, where's your kilt?" you can only respond with "Umm, in my wardrobe, smelling of mothballs."

[Jock Scot]

Just as an addendum to that, let's be clear. I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the Scots, not the tourists. Tourists can wear kilts if they want in my view. More power to them! It's no good saying "I want Scots to take the kilt back for themselves!" if when asked "Well then, where's your kilt?" you can only respond with "Umm, in my wardrobe, smelling of mothballs."

I agree entirely and one can only hope that " Harry" and others grasp that point sooner rather than later!

[Nathan]

Very interesting last few posts indeed. This thread and the other about wearing the kilt in Scotland have made me think a lot of about diaspora Scots travelling to Scotland and their internal motivations as well. It seems to me that what might not be understood by locals is that many of these diaspora Scots aren't just "living the dream" and hoping to find the Scotland portrayed on biscuit tins, I would posit that a good number of them are actually on something of a pilgrimage. I'm sure the locals of Rome, Jerusalem or Mecca have their own opinions of the throngs of people who revere their home cities and flood in every year to pay homage.

While Scotland is not a Religious site per se (Iona etc... aside); when people I know discuss visiting Scotland, it is about retracing the footsteps of their ancestors, visiting the battlefields where family members fell and paying respect to the land that birthed their ancestors and where these forefathers established their clans/families. It is about imagining what life must have been like for those cleared from the land. For some it's about digging into records and dealing with genealogists on the ground to identify more information about these ancestors that they can pass on to their own children. One person I know of flies to Glencoe every year to maintain the grave sites of his relatives.

For some who live in Scotland, this can sound very fanciful and romantic but I think many people the world over understand maintaining a connection with the souls of our forefathers and I think there is an almost innate desire in humans to figure out who they are and from whence they came.

Scotland may be a modern industrial economy with Universities, pop bands, sports teams, modern art, inventors etc... but it cannot be completely divorced from its history. The castles, ruins and cairns still stand, the heather still grows, the pipes can still be heard and shortbread is still pretty tasty, really. The Highlands are still breathtaking, they are still making tweed on Harris, lairds still laird and crofters still croft.

I can identify somewhat with the culture cringe. While it's not exactly parallel, I know some Cape Bretoners from our industrial area who are angry that the traditional, largely rural, Gaelic culture is what gets all of the attention. We have rock bands, jazz groups and even a small hip hop scene, but in the tourist magazines it's all ceilidhs and fiddles. This makes some locals for whom this is not their daily reality resentful. Some even mock the traditional culture as backward.

I love the traditional culture and see no conflict between the two so I have no problem with the tourist industry explaining what makes us different and worth visiting. When I encounter our staunch modernists, I remind them that everywhere has the internet, an indie rock scene and fast food restaurants but not everywhere has these special things that we have.

Perhaps Scotland will eventually come to the same conclusion that I have and that this website's existence proves; that being modern and traditional are not mutually exclusive.

[creagdhubh]

Very interesting last few posts indeed. This thread and the other about wearing the kilt in Scotland have made me think a lot of about diaspora Scots travelling to Scotland and their internal motivations as well. It seems to me that what might not be understood by locals is that many of these diaspora Scots aren't just "living the dream" and hoping to find the Scotland portrayed on biscuit tins, I would posit that a good number of them are actually on something of a pilgrimage. I'm sure the locals of Rome, Jerusalem or Mecca have their own opinions of the throngs of people who revere their home cities and flood in every year to pay homage.

While Scotland is not a Religious site per se (Iona etc... aside); when people I know discuss visiting Scotland, it is about retracing the footsteps of their ancestors, visiting the battlefields where family members fell and paying respect to the land that birthed their ancestors and where these forefathers established their clans/families. It is about imagining what life must have been like for those cleared from the land. For some it's about digging into records and dealing with genealogists on the ground to identify more information about these ancestors that they can pass on to their own children. One person I know of flies to Glencoe every year to maintain the grave sites of his relatives.

For some who live in Scotland, this can sound very fanciful and romantic but I think many people the world over understand maintaining a connection with the souls of our forefathers and I think there is an almost innate desire in humans to figure out who they are and from whence they came.

Scotland may be a modern industrial economy with Universities, pop bands, sports teams, modern art, inventors etc... but it cannot be completely divorced from its history. The castles, ruins and cairns still stand, the heather still grows, the pipes can still be heard and shortbread is still pretty tasty, really. The Highlands are still breathtaking, they are still making tweed on Harris, lairds still laird and crofters still croft.

I can identify somewhat with the culture cringe. While it's not exactly parallel, I know some Cape Bretoners from our industrial area who are angry that the traditional, largely rural, Gaelic culture is what gets all of the attention. We have rock bands, jazz groups and even a small hip hop scene, but in the tourist magazines it's all ceilidhs and fiddles. This makes some locals for whom this is not their daily reality resentful. Some even mock the traditional culture as backward.

I love the traditional culture and see no conflict between the two so I have no problem with the tourist industry explaining what makes us different and worth visiting. When I encounter our staunch modernists, I remind them that everywhere has the internet, an indie rock scene and fast food restaurants but not everywhere has these special things that we have.

Perhaps Scotland will eventually come to the same conclusion that I have and that this website's existence proves; that being modern and traditional are not mutually exclusive.

Extremely well said, Nathan. Your eloquent choice of words, in my honest and humble opinion, is absolutely spot on. I could not agree more with your perspective, and the sentiment is definitely shared. Whilst reading your post, a particular song by the wonderfully talented musician, Steve McDonald of New Zealand, kept playing through my mind. The song is called, "All You Can Know" from McDonald's Sons of Somerled album released by Etherean Music, Inc. in 1996. This song, as well as the entire album, actually served as my "official soundtrack" during the beginning of my genealogical research, and when I began asking my family questions regarding our Highland heritage. It's quite an evocative tune with unique application to the points you raised throughout your post. You may have heard it before.

Apologies, the digital quality of the video isn't that good, but the audio is fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBKGbiZPYoc



Slainte mhath,

[Calgacus]

Very interesting last few posts indeed. This thread and the other about wearing the kilt in Scotland have made me think a lot of about diaspora Scots travelling to Scotland and their internal motivations as well. It seems to me that what might not be understood by locals is that many of these diaspora Scots aren't just "living the dream" and hoping to find the Scotland portrayed on biscuit tins, I would posit that a good number of them are actually on something of a pilgrimage. I'm sure the locals of Rome, Jerusalem or Mecca have their own opinions of the throngs of people who revere their home cities and flood in every year to pay homage.

Just to be absolutely clear, my 'living the dream' comment was me putting thoughts in "Harry's" head for the purpose of the discussion. I do not subscribe to that view personally (as I'm sure Nathan is already aware).

Perhaps Scotland will eventually come to the same conclusion that I have and that this website's existence proves; that being modern and traditional are not mutually exclusive.

Here's hoping so!

[sailortats]

The last several posts to this thread have been inspirational. Thanks to all that have contributed.