New CoSCA Headquarters in North Carolina

[cessna152towser]

http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.c...-roots-3229000
Interesting insight into Scottish heritage in North America, discusses proposed new CoSCA headquarters and falling interest in Scottish heritage.

[piperdbh]

That's not very far from my domicile, and I have a pretty god idea of where the new HQ will be. I wonder if they need me to come and work for them.

[ASinclair]

Very interesting, and seated to the right of COSCA's president in the picture is none other than The Right Honorable Malcolm Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, Hereditary Chief of the Clan Sinclair. Thanks for posting this, Alex.

[Highlander31]

Thanks for posting the article, Alex. That is something that is sorely needed here.

There has been a movement to rewrite American history for several decades (which has accelerated since 2009) minimizing and in some cases eliminating the contributions made to this country by Europeans and Northern Europeans (and yes, according to DNA marking, they are different.)

My Scottish ancestors arrived in San Francisco in the mid 1800's. They worked hard with others to build a town into a city, and to help bring a state into being. Yet now, a lot of the work those Scottish immigrants did has been erased from the collected memory of the Bay Area.

For centuries, the Americas were classified as three separate continents; North America, Central America, and South America. Then in the late '90's, for political reasons, Central America was erased from the maps. Mexico became part of North America, while everything else became South America.

Without the work of the CoSCA and other groups to help preserve what those early Scots did to help found and build this country, the work and accomplishments of those brave hardworking men and women will be relegated to the same dustbin of history Central America was put into.

[EagleJCS]

For centuries, the Americas were classified as three separate continents; North America, Central America, and South America. Then in the late '90's, for political reasons, Central America was erased from the maps. Mexico became part of North America, while everything else became South America.

When I was in school (late 1970's to mid 1980's), I was taught that Mexico was part of North America, but countries south of there down to and including Panama were Central America. South of Panama was, of course, South America. This was taught in both my geography and Spanish classes.


On topic to the OP, in this part of the US, we've had one long-running (30 years) Games close and another open (largely funded by the property owner, who also runs a RenFaire at the site). A third Games is struggling and has eliminated their sanctioned pipe and drum contest for a less expensive 'invitational' format.

Until I got involved in piping, I was unaware of these events and of the contributions of Scots (both those born there and those with Scottish heritage) to Western society - and in a couple of cases to Eastern society. I was also unaware of my potential Scottish heritage (I didn't know about Clan Scott, and I have yet to trace my paternal line back 'across the pond').

Maybe it's time for another 'Scottish movie' to generate interest again? Maybe this time present one that's historically accurate?

[Tobus]

Maybe it's time for another 'Scottish movie' to generate interest again? Maybe this time present one that's historically accurate?

Since when has the population at large ever gained interest from historically accurate movies? I think it's pretty clear at this point that Americans are more interested in fantasy and romanticism, or at least that's what draws them to a particular subject (and some of them will gain an interest in actual history after that).

Fortunately, the upcoming Outlander series may just provide an increased level of interest in Scottish history. And if the series is successful enough to carry through the entire story, it eventually intertwines with American history too.

*edited to add: I'm OK with Mexico being part of North America. Strictly speaking from a geological standpoint, there's never been any reason to separate it from the rest of North America as its own continent. Political/social/economic region, yes. Continent, no.

[piperdbh]

North Carolina is solidly within North America, in case anybody's wondering.

[Highlander31]

When I was in school (late 1970's to mid 1980's), I was taught that Mexico was part of North America, but countries south of there down to and including Panama were Central America. South of Panama was, of course, South America. This was taught in both my geography and Spanish classes.

When I finished school in ’71, they were still teaching that Mexico was part of Central America. In the mid ‘80’s, the U.S.’ Southern Command was listing its AO as Central and South America, which included Mexico.

In the mid ‘90’s, those in the circle I traveled in, were beginning to use the term “Latin America” to describe everything south of Mexico. By the late ‘90’s, it had replaced the old terminology. When I foolishly lamented one day on the term being even more general in description than the two words it replaced, I was informed, it made more sense politically.

I still have one of those big coffee table atlases, which was copyrighted and printed in 1990, and shows Mexico as part of Central America. I keep it mainly as a general and historical reference, these days.

*edited to add: I'm OK with Mexico being part of North America. Strictly speaking from a geological standpoint, there's never been any reason to separate it from the rest of North America as its own continent. Political/social/economic region, yes. Continent, no.

Since the continents were named and their boundaries set before there were any countries in the Americas (as we know them today), I suspect someone drew a line on a map based on latitude.

Back on topic:

Since when has the population at large ever gained interest from historically accurate movies? I think it's pretty clear at this point that Americans are more interested in fantasy and romanticism, or at least that's what draws them to a particular subject (and some of them will gain an interest in actual history after that).

Fortunately, the upcoming Outlander series may just provide an increased level of interest in Scottish history. And if the series is successful enough to carry through the entire story, it eventually intertwines with American history too.

Sadly, I think you have stated it accurately.

It is disturbing to see a part of our history, and by extension, part of the culture, slowly fading away. As you pointed out, most Americans seem to prefer to visit never-never land than to learn about their history.

Hopefully the CoSCA’s proposed project will help to enlighten more of our citizens on a valuable part of this country’s history.

[MacKenzie]

I'll have to see what I can do to help.