Why some Scottish People REJECT Americans

In today's video i'm talking about an important cultural clash: how some Americans have certain expectations of what . Scottish people are like, based on how Americans with Scottish heritage celebrate Scottishness in the states. I want to do this section in two videos, and the first part today is literally to set the scene as to why the differences in expectations vs reality exist in the first place. Would love to know your thoughts in the comments.

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[cheriemckeon]

I'm very proud of my Scottish heritage. My Scottish ancestor fought against the British in the American Revolution. I am also proud that his descendant fought 4 campaigns in the Civil War as an officer. All of the descending men were also war heroes in WWII and to include my father who was wounded twice in Vietnam. We are proud of our heritage, country, and flag here in the US.
Planning to visit Scotland next year. I have traced records from Scotland to 1640. More than all of that, I'm looking forward to visiting the beautiful parks and highlands.

[helensarkisian]

I did not know that the highland culture essentially left Scotland altogether. This was a very interesting vlog. Thx

[DillRidge]

When you talked about the highlanders all leaving and taking their culture with them, I found it really sad. They were a very strong, tough group of people.

[gailcannon]

I visited Scotland 5 years ago, and I am still homesick for it. I am half Scottish. I come from the MacMillan clan. I am exquisitely proud of my Scottish heritage!! I live on the coast of North Carolina in the USA. My time in Scotland was almost surreal. I hope I can return. I placed my Mother's red hair and my Father's ashes on the grave of Agnes Guy on the shores of Loch Lomond. My Mother's name was Agnes and my Father's name was Guy. My Mother's family came from Kilmarnock. My Father's bfamily were English (Willis) and Welsh (Davis).

[Doug_M]

A lot of Southern US is of Scottish descent. I'm part Scottish too. Much of our culture and music comes from Scottish and Irish people that settled here. I don't go crazy about it, but I recognize it as part of my heritage. As an added note, I do think you should be proud of your history and don't be ashamed of it.

[justinmcneil]

I actually didn't know April was Scottish American heritage month. Thanks for informing me, now I have that and Earth day. Right On!

[katiestewart]

Very interesting content. I was a little sad to hear that many Scottish people don't know their history, but I think that's becoming very much a global thing. I've always had a bit of an old soul and felt we need to know where and who we come from. Celebrate your culture, whatever it is! I would love to have more of this kind of open dialogue.

[thefarmerswifeknits]

My ancestors were from the Borders and sent to the Plantation in Ireland. From there they emigrated to America, arriving in Charleston, South Carolina in 1767. My g-g-g-grandfather (Robert Nesbitt) and his brother fought in the Revolutionary War. We are very proud of our Scottish heritage and celebrate the tough and resilient people they were . DNA test revealed that my siblings and I have 90% British Isles DNA - more than the people living there today! Why? Because they settled in small rural enclaves and stayed, marrying other British Isles immigrants and staying put. My relatives still live within 5 miles of where the brothers settled after the Revolution. This tendency gives rise to the meaning of “clannish”.

[TheHootingPirate]

As a Canadian who grew up wearing a kilt most weekends for dance competitions I find this absolutely fascinating! I never realised, but it makes so much sense. It’s very similar to how the Canadian French culture has evolved compared to France itself. The Quebecois etc are much more traditional, or so says my husband who is from France.

[memarti]

Great video as always. I have a huge interest in Scottish culture and history. I'm 9th generation American.. my Scottish ancestors came to America in the 1730s just before the second jacobite uprising. I think those people who came here carried a certain passion with them regarding independence and tradition. Combine that with strong feelings about gaining independence and those sentiments grew, while "back home" in Scotland those traditions were being silenced. It doesn't surprise me that those traditions are more widely celebrated in America. I've always felt that a very large part of the American fervor for freedom and independence came from our strong Scottish roots. It's no coincidence America gained independence so soon after the Scottish were fleeing or being sent off as prisoners to the colonies. Congratulations Scotland, your baby is all grown up now. ;) Scotland has always felt like a close family member to America in my heart.

[loveprice]

I learned Scottish history in school, I remember a test I took that I had to know about the Jacobite rebellion, it's strange to me that it's not taught for the most part in Scotland. And my grandfather taught me about the clan we descended from, he even gave gave me a book on nothing but Armstrong history and it was quite the page turner. As an American my heritage is a little of this and a little of that but I am proud of all of it, our pasts inspire us now in the present and it kinda keeps our ancestors alive, I think that is... beautiful I guess.

[LaurenBies]

Hi. I’m an American currently living in Dublin studying for my masters degree in film at Trinity; this was a fascinating topic. I learned quite a lot. American culture in my perspective continues to embrace the Scottish “past-history “ as its present because for Americans we were founded on the basic principles that individual freedom-rights, and subsequent independence of that individuals country should be honored. Thus, we tend to not forget the events that shaped other people’s journeys. Thank you for your channel. I subscribed and hope to visit this summer. Lauren

[heatherpeppers]

I am a Ferguson! I know my tartan. My Scottish Mum raised me right and proud!

[animeproblem]

American history is a big thing in America because well you’ve got to know your past to dream about your future

[markthomas]

You can never go home again.
I realized how different Scotland was now opposed to how my family thought of it by just reading and watching the news. I was in England and purposely didn't go up into Scotland because I chose to keep the ideal in my mind.
Your explanation of how the Highlander culture was brought over with us is spot on. That's what we remember and are culturally nostalgic for. It's the same with the American Irish, Scandinavians and others. The "Motherland" we left is long gone, but we still "remember".

[sandybehrend]

This was awesome Shaun. I think a big part of the American misconception of Scotland comes from the fact that NOTHING about modern Scotland is ever taught in American schools. All we ever hear about now is the British Royal Family. All I ever learned about in school was the much romanticized era of Robert The Bruce, the Clans, Castles and Medieval period Kings, which I later learned thru DNA testing and genealogy, are my ancestors. The stories passed down by those who braved the journey to the New World are the only stories we have about the homeland and they stopped being relevant with the departure of the first one who left. By the time traveling back to Scotland became fast or affordable, the gap between what Scotland was and what it is now had widened significantly. Much like having a favorite character in an old movie and then being shocked that the actor who played that character has greatly aged or died. Things change everywhere but once you leave a place it changes without you. The Scottish people in America now are only distant descendants of those who left long ago. I guess we just want to see and keep hold of what we were taught to treasure, which is the history.

[DavCynLondon]

This is great. I’m married to a Scotsman, so I tend to cringe too here in America with some of the things folks say to my husband. The way I explained it to him is, time stopped in 1745. A lot of Scots came to America, then, and their stories are the ones we descendants know, which may explain perception. Good video!

[sakuralovesanimation]

That's so sad they don't teach Scottish history! I love American history, favorite class in high school :)

[johncalvinhall]

The issue of Scotland forgetting their heritage and history is not isolated to Scotland itself, but to the whole of the UK. As an outsider looking in, I see the signs clearly: overwhelming immigration, value - destroying liberalism, and a general loss of identity. This breaks my heart to no end.
Yes, as you can probably tell, I am conservative (smile), and of a Scottish heritage. Our family was thrown out of Scotland for being trouble makers back in the 18th century but we never forgot where we came from.
If a man doesn't know where he came from, nor who his family is, how can he really know who he is and where he is going?
Great video. Keep it up.

[dougmael]

Shaun - What you say about the Scottish Highlander heritage of North American people who are Scottish descendants is oh so true! Half of my heritage is that of Scottish Highlanders (Campbells), and my grandparents held firmly to their Highland traditions. Also, in the mountain states in the USA (e.g. - Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, western Carolinas, etc.) the music that became known as “country” music was from the Scottish immigrants who settled there. “Bluegrass” music evolved from Scottish and Irish reels and the instrumentation and form of the music held very closely to the music of the Highlands as well as parts of Ireland.