In Scotland there are approximately five million Scots. In the U.S. there are over twenty-five million with claims to Scottish ancestry. In my family I have ties to over twenty different clans. Some of my ancestors were forced out of Scotland by greedy landowners during the infamous clearances. There are stories of families being ripped apart and as the boat sailed, those left on the dock, with tears filling their eyes, sang an ancient Gaelic song to those leaving; 'Weel ye no cum home again?'
I think that we American Scots hold on to our Scottish identity fiercely, and rightly so, because we were forced out by the nobility. With clinched fist, we'll hold our heads high and shout it loudly, "You may steal our homes and country, but as long as there's living breath within us, you'll never steal our heritage!" It's our way of 'coming home again."
I'll wear my kilt with pride, whenever the hell I want, and I'll gladly spit in anyone's eye who dares to tell me I can't.