Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
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.