Tartan-wearing conventions among Scots

[Jock Scot]

As a rather cynical local, I have put much of this clan sept thing, to name but one example, down to cleaver marketing of the tourist industry and associated trades and their biscuit tin version of Scots history and the wishful thinking of the visitors that are willing to part with their hard earned cash to buy into the Scots myth.

Before I get my head shot off(nicely, of course)there are obviously many family names connected to a particular clan and that is not in doubt. What I am saying is that with the myth and mis-information that the tourist trade has bandied about for the last 100 years or so,the "chickens are now coming home to roost". No more are people necessarily going to accept what is written on a whisky tin, they want to delve into the truth, and why not, the trouble is, this can and often does, cause confusion, disappointment, and not a little anger when the truth appears and shatters long held beliefs. I see it all the time here on this website,I am afraid.

[Sir William]

As a rather cynical local, I have put much of this clan sept thing, to name but one example, down to cleaver marketing of the tourist industry and associated trades and their biscuit tin version of Scots history and the wishful thinking of the visitors that are willing to part with their hard earned cash to buy into the Scots myth.

Clever marketing ploy or not, the Scots can be proud that so many people around the world WANT to be Scottish. Off-hand, I can't think of another culture that so many others have wanted to be identified with - to the point that they will "assume" one of their ancestors with a possible Scottish name was in fact a Scot, just so they can wear the tartan, badge, etc.

I'll admit that when I learned my "family" was from the Borders I was greatly disappointed because they weren't Highlanders. Now I learned that I have both Lowland and Highland Scots in my heritage - and I take pride in both. And while I have been able to trace one line of my family back to the late 16th century England (including 3 baronets), I'm more interested in my Scots heritage.

[gilmore]

Clever marketing ploy or not, the Scots can be proud that so many people around the world WANT to be Scottish. Off-hand, I can't think of another culture that so many others have wanted to be identified with - to the point that they will "assume" one of their ancestors with a possible Scottish name was in fact a Scot,...

I am afraid that in this contest the Irish have the Scots beat, at least in the US. Polls show that many more Americans identify as being of Irish descent that is statistically possible.

[Jock Scot]

I am afraid that in this contest the Irish have the Scots beat, at least in the US. Polls show that many more Americans identify as being of Irish descent that is statistically possible.

Is that so?Gosh what a laugh!

[gilmore]

Is that so?Gosh what a laugh!

Yes, the Irish have a reputation here of being colorful and interesting party animals, and St Patrick's day parades are very festive events in many cities. Here in Atlanta on that day you see African Americans wearing "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" buttons and T shirts.

[O'Callaghan]

Yes, the Irish have a reputation here of being colorful and interesting party animals, and St Patrick's day parades are very festive events in many cities. Here in Atlanta on that day you see African Americans wearing "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" buttons and T shirts.

There are black people in Ireland. My favourite black Irishman was Phil Lynott, the lead singer of Thin Lizzy, RIP. His mother is white, though, and has outlived him. The name of the band was a pun, as pronounced with an Irish accent it become T'in Lizzie, i.e. a Model T Ford. The rest of the band were white. There aren't truly very many black people there, after all.

He used to tell a story that once while in New York for a gig he met a couple of cops in a bar, or a doughnut shop or somewhere, who told him they were 'Irish', really only meaning Irish American, and asked him where he was from, completely failing to pick up on the Dublin accent, and he answered that they wouldn't believe him if he told them!

The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in Boston, Massachusetts, not anywhere in the auld sod atall.

[Sir William]

I am afraid that in this contest the Irish have the Scots beat, at least in the US. Polls show that many more Americans identify as being of Irish descent that is statistically possible.

Like Jock, I'm a wee bit surprised at that. I will grant that on St Patrick's Day EVERYONE is Irish, and that we don't quite see the same turnout on St Andrew's Day.

[BEEDEE]

As a rather cynical local, I have put much of this clan sept thing, to name but one example, down to cleaver marketing of the tourist industry and associated trades and their biscuit tin version of Scots history and the wishful thinking of the visitors that are willing to part with their hard earned cash to buy into the Scots myth.

Jock, while I can see some truth in what you say and have seen some of the effects first hand on visits to Scotland there is another side.

Born in NZ I remember my parents referring to the UK a 'home'. There was always a strong link to the mother country. I can trace back with absolute certainty to Roderick MacRae of Rogart, Sutherlandshire through five generations. Am I proud of that link and heritage - damm right I am. I still remember my first visit to the Highlands in 1968. Something inside said 'you have a link to this'. I continue to be stirred by the photos of Scotland shown on this site and elsewhere, I spent two hours today listening to the World Pipe Band Championships streamed live from Glasgow. I am proud to claim my Scots heritage.

Now in the USA I find many who are looking for their ancestry for what ever reason. Like me, most cannot get far enough back in the records to say with any certainty that there was a direct clan link. After all, my ancestor lived about 120 miles as the crow flies from Eilean Donnan Castle the focal point for Clan MacRae. So my link is tenuous to say the least. But in this day and age of Clan Societies I am proud to call myself a MacRae and work to further the Clan interests here in the US. And yes, I have two MacRae kilts.

Brian