Comments on: Boots and Roots: A Meditation

By: R Moore Smith

R Moore Smith — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:56:53 +0000

You are awesome, Michael. I also took serious offense to his remark also, and another guy equally as offensive. We know who we are. I reminded him that our ancestors fought English tyranny on Scottish soil and American soil. Can you imagine someone telling them that they were not Scots?

By: Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:10:19 +0000

I came to read this article because someone that lives in Scotland told me that “if it aint form Scotland, it’s sh*te!!”. If I could have reached through my computer I would have shown him what I thought about his attitude. That guy is not welcome in my home. I hope that guys Scotch forever tastes like soap. I am born American. My father and the fathers before him all bear the Campbell name. Most of them married Irish girls, but there was a Scandinavian with one. I consider myself to be of Scottish decent, but I can only trace my family back to N. Ireland about 1804. If I say I’m Scottish, I do not mean that’s where I am “from”. Just like the restaurant owner in England (who was born there) says he is Italian. I am not trying to take anything away from the prideful people of a beautiful land. I am just trying to figure out where I come from, how they got there, and why it changed. I guess it gives me a better “sense” of who I am knowing I came from a long line of Campbell’s that fought to protect the land they were in. One in Ireland, the rest for the U.S.A.. From the civil war to WWI to WWII to Vietnam to Desert Storm. I am proud to be an American, but I am more proud of my fore-fathers, and have a great (albeit mental) connection with them. I am proud to be Campbell. And I think this was a great article. many people, on all side of all the ponds, should read this and try to be a little nicer to one another. I really hope that guys Scotch tastes like soap.

By: Colin Miller

Colin Miller — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:08:25 +0000

I am a Scot. I am Scottish, as were my parents and grandparents. Born and raised in Edinburgh. I don’t hold with any snobbishness inherent in “I was born in the Highlands” therefore I am a better Scot than you are. Neither do I wish to detract from anyone’s feeling of ‘Scottishness’ that descendants of Scots anywhere in the world feel. But to give an example I now live in London, England and am married to an English lady. My son and daughter were born here. If asked they will tell you they are English (or British). If pressed they will tell you they are half Scottish. My grandchildren will tell you they are English, and if pressed they will still tell you they are English.
Where this gets complicated is:-
1) when you are born in Scotland of non Scottish parents, and
2) when you are born elsewhere of Scottish parents.
In the former example you are not Scottish, but British. You will have the opportunity to take dual nationality from your parents country.
In the latter case you will have the nationality of the country in which you were born and will get dual nationality of ‘British’, but here’s the rub – you will also be a Scot! The problem being that Scotland does not issue passports.
This fact is what complicates things.
So to those who have Scottish ancestry, (going back further than one generation as explained above), and speaking as an ex-pat myself, remembering I have crossed arguably the most significant border for Scots, I can fully understand the attachment your souls have to your roots and I would be proud and privileged to see you don your kilt and share our Scottishness over a dram or an Irn Bru.
I am jealous of my Scottishness, but only if I’m accused by some unknowing person of being English. I am not jealous of Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders or anyone else claiming Scottishness – in fact it makes me proud to an emotional level that there are people all over the world who want to hold on to – and celebrate, yes even boast about, their identity.
As a postscript, I went to Bannockburn for the 700th. My clan’s tent was manned by two Americans who had travelled from the States to be there and represent the MacFarlanes. How can anyone possibly decry that commitment? No, we should celebrate it – and celebrate it together!
Let’s not get hung up on semantics therefore – rejoice in the fact that there are places you can go in the world and see people wearing their kilt with pride who will welcome you with open arms, and with whom you will have one of the strongest connections than any other country in the world!

By: William Russell Keith

William Russell Keith — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:25:40 +0000

I feel like I’ve been rejected as if I were a lesser person than a native born Scot. I’m ashamed and a little embarrassed. My romantic notions of having Scottish heritage seem like nothing, like a paper crown from Burger King. I’m sad and I wish I hadn’t seen this site. I hope God feels differently about my “Scottishness.” He’s the one who made me. I’m quite pleased to have such a rich ethnic heritage. I love who I am and I’m sorry if that’s not good enough. If God makes me king of Scotland, you can kiss my American boots and tell me how Scottish you are. Then we’ll see what’s up. xD A bit wordy but a fair read. <3

By: MaryJane

MaryJane — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:42:40 +0000

I have read this all…I like the concept of BOOTS AND ROOTS…I think when a place is so homogenized as the US and inhabitants so mobile we do have a need for roots as it were…Interesting also, that after many many proofs..the next generation of parents banished to the colonies (and also following this definition) then become “born in the colonies”….and even though they may step on the soil of their forefathers and try to maintain some of the culture and customs..well there you are..it is a conundrum….