What makes someone Scottish?

[Jeremiah]

This is a matter of some curiosity for me. My family is Scottish by decent, but I highly doubt there is much scottish blood in us. We are likely mutts whose only real claim to Scotland is a surname passed down. My family never lived in Scotland, and never talked about it's ancient roots. So, my question is: Am I scottish? Does a surname lend acceptance into the group? Is rediscovering one's heritage a farse? Just a few questions I had.

[Rab Gordon]

If you feel Scottish.

Rab

[Iolaus]

When asked, I tell them I'm American, raised no more than ten miles away (I rarely get out of town).

I think, if you took a poll among the members here at XMarks, You'd find that a lot of us have very tenuous connections to Scotland, if any at all. I, for instance have only my mothers step-father, a man at least a generation or two removed from Scotland to my credit - no blood, just heritage, as he was the only grandfather I knew.

In my opinion (gotta stress that), I would say, from the way you phrase your question, right now, no, you're not "Scottish", although there are others who wiil define it as a simple question of descent and say you are.

But to truely answer your question for yourself, you'll have to define what you mean by "Scottish". If you mean, do you have a visceral connection to the history and origins of your family, then you could, in the future, consider yourself "Scottish", as that is something that can be developed through an engaged research and celebration of your findings.

Like Rab said, "If you feel Scottish."

[Jeremiah]

Interesting response Ioulas. My only concern is really encroaching on the territory of others so to speak.

[Blu (Ontario)]

What makes a person a Texan, a Mexican, or a Canadian ?... Same rules apply. And yet while I, as a Canadian, may feel a certain cultural kinship with my American neighbors to the south, that doesn't make me an American. By the same token, I have both Scot and English blood in my veins and while I share a some genetic and cultural commonality with them I am neither a Scot or an Englishman. But that doesn't stop me from showing off a bit of pride in the stock from which I was bred.


blu

[Livingston]

hmmm....let's see, my heritage is Scottish, English, Welsh, German, Spanish, French and Norwegian with some level of nobility from each of those. Me, I'm American but have primarily Scottish ancestry. And yes, I claim ancestors from the nobility here, one of my relatives fought with the Green Mountain Boys during the Revolution and on the other side one signed the Declaration of Independance. (now where did I put that title to half of New York state? :-(

[macwilkin]

When a clansman reportedly complained to Lord MacDonald, the Chief the Clan Donald, at a gathering of the clan in Scotland about the American, Canadian and Australian members wearing kilts, etc., The Chief supposedly replied:

"The blood is strong. Do you really think that over 200 years and 2000 miles can destroy it?"

I stand with Lord MacDonald -- a proud American of Scottish heritage.

As an aside, Cajuns are made "by the blood, by the ring and by the backdoor" -- I'm a proud Cajun by the ring and by the backdoor -- anybody who wants to argue that can take it up with my mother-in-law, Ms. Melancon! :mrgreen:

(Be forewarned -- Cajun women are slow to anger, but once you do -- Katy bar the door!)

Slainte!

Todd

[laotou]

I've heard it said that,"There are only two types of people;
Scots, and those that wish they were."

[mudd]

I consider myself an American because I live here. I am a citizen of this country.
In terms of heredity, I think of my ancestry as Norse/Celtic/Teutonic. These are the ethnic groups I am descended from. (Are any of us pure anything anymore?)
So, to be Scottish, I think you would have to be born there or become nationalized citizen of that part of the UK.
Howzat?

[GMan]

Well I consider myself an American, made with Celtic (read Scottish) parts.

Stops them every time.