Scottish Govt put the kibosh on Dressed to Kilt

[Frank McGrath]

It all comes down to education of the masses. I was raised to be able to look at a map and tell where I was and where I was going. When I went to Austria a couple years ago, one of my coworkers asked if I was going to drive and whether or not I was going to see kangaroos. I did not want to burst his bubble, so I told him yes. I have had much the same when I talk of going to Scotland. It's all the lack of education, not only in their youth, but as adults. It just grates on my nerves to listen to people when they just don't know what is going on. Ok......Soapbox: off.

[Woodsheal]

I think it's the old Calvinist fear that someone, somewhere, might be having fun...!

[Phil]

I think it's the old Calvinist fear that someone, somewhere, might be having fun...!

Did you actually read the article?

and here is the one in September - http://heritage.scotsman.com/tartanw...lue.3327033.jp

[davedove]

When I went to Austria a couple years ago, one of my coworkers asked if I was going to drive and whether or not I was going to see kangaroos. I did not want to burst his bubble, so I told him yes.

So how was the drive? Actually, I have heard many people confuse Austria and Australia. Just like a lot of people don't know that Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia no longer exist.


Although a lot of it is lack of education, some of it is to be expected. As far as thinking Scotland is part of England, many people in the US equate England with the UK, and Scotland is part of the UK. Although the analogy isn't precise, how many people from outside the US understand the difference between, let's say Pennsylvania and Ohio, or a better example would be New England and the South. We here in the States know a lot about the differences, but people in other countries likely do not.

[Dirk Skene]

......Yes Scotland is more than kilts and whisky but you don't improve the overall presentation by reducing these to a sideline.

Exactly, McClef I wonder what these folks are thinking & who is in charge

[thescot]

I think the Scottish governement is missing a big opportunity on this side of the pond.

. . .“I have lived in America for 7 yrs and as far as knowing where Scotland is they STILL think Scotland is in England.
They know very little about why its called Gt Britain.
There are Clan Gatherings all over America but again as someone pointed out they are all claiming their heritage.
When asked where my accent comes from i ask them to guess.... i have had English,Irish,Australian... and god forbid Czech...
Don`t get me wrong i like it here but it does grate a bit having to explain where Scotland is.”

“. . .l]

This quote from a tranplanted Scot says a lot. And that Scot can blame it all on Scots from Scotland. I have never been to a large gathering here in the US that didn't have UK government representatives--al of whom are English!

Where are the Scots? Here at the Stone Mountain games, there is always an English gentleman from the consulate, but I've not seen one person from the Scottish Parliament. It's as if they don't know we exist--or perhaps--care.

One visiting clan chief remarked that he never sees so large a gathering in Scotland, and I'd love to see someone from Scotland pay attention to the great opportunity here. We all know there's a lot more to Scotland that kilts and haggis, but kilts and haggis are uniquesly Scottish, and they're are terrific spring boards to the beauty and reality that is Scotland. I've never visited any countries where I was better received that in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

As mentioned above, you don't find so great a concentration of Scots-Irish, Scots, Irish, and/or any other stripe of Celt way up in NY. We're mostly concentrated in the more southern regions of the US, I think.

So come on over and get some press.

[thescot]

I think it's the old Calvinist fear that someone, somewhere, might be having fun...!

It's just a joke. Like the old Calvinist proscription agains shaggin' standing up--it might lead to dancing.

[Phil]

I have never been to a large gathering here in the US that didn't have UK government representatives--al of whom are English!

Where are the Scots? Here at the Stone Mountain games, there is always an English gentleman from the consulate, but I've not seen one person from the Scottish Parliament. It's as if they don't know we exist--or perhaps--care.

Sadly foreign affairs, which includes responsibility for overseas diplomats and relations with foreign governments, is not a matter that has been devolved to the Scottish Government in Holyrood - a responsibility reserved by the Westminster Government along with defence and a number of other issues. What you are suggesting would be akin to the Governor of Ohio sending an ambassador to London. He might well send a representative, much along the lines of our First Minister and colleagues who will be visiting North America to represent Scotland during Tartan Week, but he cannot presume to represent the Government of the United States. These powers are jealously guarded by our masters in London and Scotland has long had to suffer as the tail being grudgingly wagged by the dog in such matters. Highland games in America are the least of our problems in this regard when we have disinterested Englishmen failing to properly represent our vital fishing and other interests in dealings with the European Union so you may now begin to appreciate the intricacies of the situation Scotland faces and always has while it remains subservient to an English parliament.

[McMathTX]

Although the analogy isn't precise, how many people from outside the US understand the difference between, let's say Pennsylvania and Ohio, or a better example would be New England and the South. We here in the States know a lot about the differences, but people in other countries likely do not.

I recall in an old movie (can't remember which one) a Southerner was in Europe and observed a sign that said, "Yankee go home!" The European gentleman he was with apologized profusely, but the Southerner's response was something along the lines of, "That's alright, we wish they'd leave us alone too!"
Dean

[slohairt]

This type of thinking is all too common, I'm afraid. I experienced it in Ireland also. My parents and grandparents rail against it too. The thinking that modernisation equals 'North Americanisation' (not that there's anything wrong with that!)

Here in Canada (and I think I can speak for my American brothers and sisters as well) we have people either from, or descended from, every nation on this planet. To favour or promote the trappings of one culture over another would be foolish at best, and dangerous at the worst.

The Diaspora often has more enthusiasm for the culture of the Mother Country than the modern-day residents of those regions. While promoting a homogenised 'modern' culture, these same residents often perpetuate a contradiction: some of them continue to mock the very same society they are seeking to emulate. (?)

Think of some of the people who have come to this forum every now and then (I won't say who they are), telling us what 'real' Scots do, or what 'Celtic culture' really is, and how everyone else knows nothing. The reality is that most of these people don't engage in anything more 'cultural' than pubbin' an' clubbin'.

As for many North Americans not knowing where or what certain countries are, that is all too true as well. When I tell people I am from Ireland originally, they ask if we still hate being in the British Empire. When I tell them that Ireland is an independent country, that Northern Ireland is still part of the UK, they seem surprised.

"Oh, when did that happen?"
"Um, before you were born, likely."