Tartan scribblings from the US
BBC Scotland political correspondent Glenn Campbell is travelling to the US for Scotland Week.
He will be writing a regular blog describing American reaction to the annual celebrations.
DAY ONE - UP UP AND AWAY
Tuesday evening, arrival in Washington.
The kilt and I have made it. Only one of three bags my producer and I handed over in Edinburgh is catching a later flight!
* * * SNIP * * *
Tuesday. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, on flight to Washington.
My kilt is packed (and with luck my luggage has made the transfer from the Edinburgh flight).
Many people are uneasy about Tartan kitsch at Scotland Week Not that I'm promising to wear it, but when taking off to Tartan Day, I guess it's best to be prepared.
I'm not normally shy about putting on our national dress. I wouldn't think of wearing anything else to a Scottish wedding.
But a plaid parade? That's different.
We don't really do that sort of thing at home. Yes, there are rugby internationals and the Edinburgh Tattoo - but we don't make a habit of marching the streets in kilts to celebrate being Scottish.
That's not part of our culture. It's an American invention. Not that I'm complaining, they're entitled to celebrate links with the old country any way they like.
I'm just not sure how comfortable I feel about joining in. Nobody's going to make me. If I turn up on this page clad in tartan, it will be my choice.
But this wee dilemma seems to sum up Scotland's relationship with Tartan Day in the US and the week of events that have sprung up around it.
The questions are: what image of Scotland do we want to project to the world and how should we cope with the way others see us?
In the main, we like that it exists. We like that Americans have pride in their Scottish heritage. We like the business opportunities it generates.
We just feel a bit uneasy about the Caledonian kitsch that comes with it.
Former First Minister Jack McConnell tried to overcome this by wearing a modern tartan-free kilt a few years ago.
He was pilloried for looking like a bloke in a blouse and skirt.
Appearances do matter. The questions are: what image of Scotland do we want to project to the world and how should we cope with the way others see us?
As I follow events in Washington and New York this week, there may be more time to reflect on this theme.
I'll be scribbling here when I can, as well as reporting for BBC Scotland's radio and TV news programmes.
Published: 2008/04/02 14:51:23 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Originally Posted by Galician
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