Quote Originally Posted by wscottmac View Post
Irish pubs, bagpipes, St. Patty's Day, kilts, Guiness... These things all go extremely well together, and are often presented in concert. Picture a Highland Pipes and Drums band (clearly Scottish, plausibly mostly Presbyterians) marching on St. Patty's Day (an Irish Catholic celebration). In my gut, and the back of my head, I can make sense of this, but I'm wondering about the cultural/historical background of Scots and Irish culture becoming sorta -- comfortably overlapped? And, how does the culture of Mother England factor into the equation?

I have my own theories/historical interpretation for this phenomenon, but I'd love to hear other's thoughts -- especially our brothers over in Ireland/Scotland/England. Ham? Pour1Malt?
Since you put it as a cultural/historical question (without being political!) I'll answer as best as I can (without being political).

Overlapping of Irish and Highland Scottish culture is perfectly understandable; they are both Gaelic cultures. For much of their history, their respective cultures differed little, whether it be language, dress, etc. Things changed through outside influences (Lowlanders, the English, etc.), as is often the case. In fact, throughout history the Scottish Highlander identified himself more closely with his Irish brethren, than with Lowlanders. Take these Irish language terms as an example: Gael Éireannach (Irish), Gael Mheiriceánach (Irish American), Gael Albanach (Scottish Highlander), Gael Ceanadach (Irish Canadian). You'll note the frequency of the term "Gael." This meant, traditionally, that no matter where you came from you were still a Gael.

You're right, many Scots are Presbyterian, however many Highlanders are Catholic. St. Patrick's Day today is not really considered a Catholic holiday in Ireland, nor is it anywhere else. You'll find the Northern Irish Unionist/Protestant people honour St. Patrick just as much!

I wouldn't say England is the "mother" of these nations by any means, so I don't really see how English culture factors in at all. They are/were of a foreign culture with different customs and traditions than the Gaels.