Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Jock Scot]

Yes Jock, we do tend to take a heritage a bit seriously, as I suspect do diasporas of other nations. My mother's father was a third generation Elliot in Canada, while both my grandmothers were Urquharts, descended from the same emigrant born in Cromarty in 1715. My mother and my Elliot relatives celebrated their 'Scottishness' much more loudly than my grandmothers families did, and I distinctly recall being taken to a Burns supper in my younger years to which a I wore an Urquhart tie I had been given. My mother was livid. She demanded I wear an Elliot tie and so when I refused to change it I was subjected to her cold displeasure for the length of the evening. I can say I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now. I'm interested in Scottish heritage and find it and Scotland's history fascinating but I dare say the same would be true if I were persian or whatever. It just gives us something to relate to and be a part of or belong too; simple, healthy nutrients for our soul.

Hello Bob. I can only talk of this heritage thing from a Scottish and personal point of view with any strength, but my impression is that there are significant differences in style of thinking and celebrating it from one side of the pond to the other. It is not a question of right, or, wrong, but there is I think, quite a marked difference between them nonetheless. This is why these threads are so useful in informing each other of these differences in style.