National Identity is quite a contentious subject. Some think that ....
Scotland national identity is defined by our sense of place, our sense of history and our sense of self. It is defined by what it means to be Scottish and live in a modern Scotland in a modern world. It is the tie that binds people together.
Scotland national identity is based largely on the concept of 'Freedom' and how we have fought for many years to be treated independently as the Scottish rather than 'Scotch' or 'Jock' - terms that have been adopted and maintained by the English. Realistically, an individual has no cause to spurn a whole nation of people based on learned stereotypes and myths about history and culture, but it seems that between the Scotland/England divide we're happy to hold on to our outdated 'feud' with the English so we still have the connotations that come with being the underdog. Historically, England and Scotland fought battles etc etc but the sense of identity that comes with being a 'wronged' nation is enough to bind people together even hundreds of years later. That said, Scotland is notorious for being a bit whiney wouldn't you agree? On one hand, thriving from the historical myth - the romaticised version to make the Scots look like the humble, noble nation (and being Scottish I love this version) - while on the other using the myths against the English as affirmation that they should be fighting in the first place...surely thats a bit catch 22? ...'We hate you, you hate us, but don't stop hating us cause then we can't hate you back and that defeats the purpose'...
Anyway, in terms of my national identity I feel that it's not so much to do with the romance of Scotland's history, but more to do with the relationships i have with certain moments in my life that made me feel really proud to be who I am. I think that national Identity, wherever you're from, is as much to do with who you are as where you're from - which yes, sounds backwards. I think, however, that because Scotland is such an old country that has so much interesting history and cultural competence there is a vast amount we can learn from each other as a nation on how to base our notions of 'identity'. The media, finally, is starting to respect our nation as one of equal importance and value as the rest of the world. Scotland is quickly shaking off her underdog image.
Another point of View What makes me Scottish? Is it Scotland itself? Is it Scottish History? Is it my Scottish Family? Is it my Scottish accent? Is it because I was born in Scotland? What make me not Scottish? Is it my love of American sitcoms? Is it my love for Hugh Grant? Is it the way I love Italian food and hate haggis? There is no right answer or arguably no correct modern definition of who is truly Scottish. Scotland is a multi cultural society just like the rest of the world; therefore there is no use for prejudice views on race, religion or ancestry. For me being Scottish is something within me, a sense of pride. I’m proud of Scotland for its past, present and future triumphs.
Scotland national identity is defined by our sense of place, our sense of history and our sense of self. It is defined by what it means to be Scottish and live in a modern Scotland in a modern world. It is the tie that binds people together.
Scotland national identity is based largely on the concept of 'Freedom' and how we have fought for many years to be treated independently as the Scottish rather than 'Scotch' or 'Jock' - terms that have been adopted and maintained by the English. Realistically, an individual has no cause to spurn a whole nation of people based on learned stereotypes and myths about history and culture, but it seems that between the Scotland/England divide we're happy to hold on to our outdated 'feud' with the English so we still have the connotations that come with being the underdog. Historically, England and Scotland fought battles etc etc but the sense of identity that comes with being a 'wronged' nation is enough to bind people together even hundreds of years later. That said, Scotland is notorious for being a bit whiney wouldn't you agree? On one hand, thriving from the historical myth - the romaticised version to make the Scots look like the humble, noble nation (and being Scottish I love this version) - while on the other using the myths against the English as affirmation that they should be fighting in the first place...surely thats a bit catch 22? ...'We hate you, you hate us, but don't stop hating us cause then we can't hate you back and that defeats the purpose'...
Anyway, in terms of my national identity I feel that it's not so much to do with the romance of Scotland's history, but more to do with the relationships i have with certain moments in my life that made me feel really proud to be who I am. I think that national Identity, wherever you're from, is as much to do with who you are as where you're from - which yes, sounds backwards. I think, however, that because Scotland is such an old country that has so much interesting history and cultural competence there is a vast amount we can learn from each other as a nation on how to base our notions of 'identity'. The media, finally, is starting to respect our nation as one of equal importance and value as the rest of the world. Scotland is quickly shaking off her underdog image.
Another point of View
What makes me Scottish? Is it Scotland itself? Is it Scottish History? Is it my Scottish Family? Is it my Scottish accent? Is it because I was born in Scotland?
What make me not Scottish? Is it my love of American sitcoms? Is it my love for Hugh Grant? Is it the way I love Italian food and hate haggis?
There is no right answer or arguably no correct modern definition of who is truly Scottish. Scotland is a multi cultural society just like the rest of the world; therefore there is no use for prejudice views on race, religion or ancestry.
For me being Scottish is something within me, a sense of pride. I’m proud of Scotland for its past, present and future triumphs.