Surprise! The Scots Have No History.

[SteveB]

Poppycock.
Sounds to me the author was jealous of the Scot Highland kit after getting his knickers twisted, or choked on the positive contributions of the Scots. A certified crock.

[Jock Scot]

Well,it is a point of view that I would not altogether disagree with.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well, it is a point of view that I would not altogether disagree with.

The popular perception of Scottish history is shot through with myth and "myth"-information. Trevor-Roper (Lord Dacre) was that most rare sort of gentleman-- an academic historian without bias. I would suggest that reading his book, rather than relying on inflammatory headlines and out of context quotes, should be the order of the day.

The statement regarding the "Hitler diaries" is pretty much off the mark-- There is a book on the subject (sorry, can't remember the title) that casts T-R's authentication of the diaries in a significantly different light. T-R had numerous reservations about the diaries, which the Sunday Time chose to ignore in their publicity campaign to promote the diaries as "authentic".

Again, read the book, not the headlines.

[James MacMillan]

Another important thing to remember is perception and myth do have their place.

Here we are in a place in time where the kilt has evolved into an generally accepted, comfortable mode of dress for modern man. The kilt now has versions that can be worn by the plumber or statesman; casual, dressy, formal etc. With few exceptions we can wear the kilt in any activity.

If myth, misconception and lies have contributed to this - OK.

[walkerk]

"A historian who would convey the truth must lie. Often he must enlarge the truth by diameters, otherwise his reader would not be able to see it."

- Twain

[beloitpiper]

This is the ONLY worthwhile part of the article:

Lord Dacre was one of the world’s most respected historians prior to his death, and was professor of Modern History at Oxford University for 23 years.

But his reputation was damaged when he claimed that forged diaries, purportedly written by Adolf Hitler and serialised in the Sunday Times, were authentic.

Michael Fry, an eminent Scottish historian, claimed Lord Dacre was not “a very reliable guide to Scottish history”, Tartan was worn in the Middle Ages and his claims about the kilt “prove absolutely nothing.”

“Lots of things emerge in history and just because we can’t pin down their origins it doesn’t follow from that everything about it is phoney,” Mr Fry said.

[thescot]

Good thing he passed away. Saves us the trouble of stringing him up.

I am reminded of the queen's treatment of the fellow who murdered James I--Robert Graham assited by Walter Stewart--after the Donnachaidh captured him; that would work.

I won't let the facts get in the way of my opinion.

[Howard Clark]

Yes, newspapers sometimes, occasionally (heavy sarcasm here) word things just to stir the pot and generate letters and controversy to sell papers.