Scottish vs. Scots

[SteveB]

For those that see me in my kilt and ask if I am Scottish, I usually answer that I am of Scot descent, or that I have Scot ancestry.

[GDub]

I would argue that there is no such thing as a Scots race. It's been all about claims to territory, along with an enthusiastic mixing up of the gene pool, for a very long time. "The blood that flows in my veins..." is nothing more than an antiquated fantasy--IMHO, of course.

[Lachlan09]

Well, if they kept it in their genes, there wouldn't be Scots today !

[Fast Eddie]

Well, if they kept it in their genes, there wouldn't be Scots today !

very clever...

We grew up with the understanding that "Scotch" referred to the malted beverage made exclusively in Scotland. "Scots" was the language that was somewhere between English and Gaelic. "Scottish" was the label for all things made in, or imported from, Scotland (including the inhabitants). We never used "scots-irish" except in reference to things or people from parts of Northern Ireland, or referred to anything or anyone from Scotland as "Scotch" - it was understood to be incorrect and inappropriate for common usage.

This goes back over 40 years in our family, who have been proud of their Scottish ancestors, just as they are proud of their American, English, French, Portuguese, and Native American ancestors... I'm not Scottish, just an American who's comfortable with his ancestry, and delight in all the positive aspects that my assorted cultural connections bring!

[macwilkin]

Chas noted this several weeks ago, but it is certainly germane to this particular thread, that the formation sign of the 15th (Scottish) Division in the First World War was a red wheel "scotch".

T.

[Lachlan09]

Chas noted this several weeks ago, but it is certainly germane to this particular thread, that the formation sign of the 15th (Scottish) Division in the First World War was a red wheel "scotch".

T.

That's right, the circle represented "O", 15th letter of the alphabet and the triangular device in the middle was a “scotch” block, a form of wedge used in industrial applications.

But, Cajun, I dinnae think it was germane, I’m pretty sure it was Scottish.

[Sir William]

It has always been my habit to refer to the people of Scotland as Scots, and the "things" of Scotland (the Highlands, kilts, etc) as Scottish. I reserve the use of Scotch solely for the whiskey.

Those of us unfortunate enough to be born outside of Scotland I like to think of as of Scottish heritage or descent.

Works most of the time, though there have been the occasional exception.

[ChubRock]

I am who I was born to be. A descendent of Scottish and English adventurers.

[cessna152towser]

Interesting thread. I have always regarded myself as Scottish as I was born in Scotland. All four of my grandparents were born in Scotland, though one was born into an Irish family who had just arrived in Scotland the previous year. His older brothers had been born in Ireland and they all emigrated to Canada in the early years of the twentieth century where their families multiplied with each generation. Meantime the Scottish branches of my family died out, so although I am Scottish and live in Scotland, most of my relatives are Canadians of Irish descent.

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Those of us unfortunate enough to be born outside of Scotland I like to think of as of Scottish heritage or descent

I do have to say, that the start of the sentence is quite peculiar, and not wishing to turn this into a National pride sytle thread; if I had a choice to where I was born, it would never change.

I see that statement quite regularly on here, and I find it hard to understand...

However, I do class myself as a Kiwi, of "Scottish" descent (which is blatantly a grand excuse to wear the Kilt).

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown
Suppose for the moment you and your wife upped sticks and moved to Ethiopia. Your children are born there. Are you/they Ethiopians? Or are they citizens of Ethiopia, which is very much something else, all together.

this even relates to migration within ones own country, for example I left Invercargill (Southland) when I was 17, moved to Auckland to join the RNZN, and have lived here for nearly 17 years (I did spend a large proportion of that time overseas), but I will never call myself an Aucklander (sorry Brian ;) ) my kids are Aucklanders, because they were born here, but it would be odd if they started supporting my sports teams and claiming that they were Southlanders...
And, no matter where they settle in NZ, they will always be Aucklanders.

Hopefully that is as clear as mud?