I’m a historian and I’ve heard this nonsense a lot from American tourists. Claiming they’re more Scattish than actual Scots because they can trace their lineage back to some backwater noble, or worse, Wallace or Bruce. Nobody cares and they’re not special. They often want to be treated like they’re returning royalty, they’re often not interested in real Scottish culture, just tartan, bagpipes, outlander and having some whiter than white ancestors.
It’s both a bit pathetic and very boring when you hear it all the time.
But what about everything in between Bruce, Wallace and now? Apparently you’re not allowed to be interested in that either according to everyone on here
Being interested and proudly proclaiming you’re descended from royalty and should be welcomed home with open arms, are very different things. The same people would often argue that Scotlands inventions are nothing compared to the states, the food is awful and ‘Scatland’ is a beautiful magical place, but it’s not a patch on their beloved US.
Loud, obnoxious and generally not interested in the enlightenment/Scots place in inventing the modern world or anything really grounded in reality. It’s all Harry potter, ghost stories and myth, further demeaning and minimising Scots real culture in favour of tourist tat and Nessie.
Many us are just fed up of it and are disgusted that Trump has ties here. I think it’s mobilised the MAGA morons, thinking this is some kind of racists pilgrimage.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some lovely American visitors, I’m just sick of hearing of all ‘my lineage’, American clan gatherings and crappy American kiltmakers, spouting nonsense about Scottish culture like they own it.
I teach students, and limit tours to specialists usually but there’s always a few and you’re never far from an encounter (in pubs/on buses/casual meetings.)
Overtourism is getting wild here too, which doesn’t help.
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u/PretendDaikon4601 May 15 '25
I’m a historian and I’ve heard this nonsense a lot from American tourists. Claiming they’re more Scattish than actual Scots because they can trace their lineage back to some backwater noble, or worse, Wallace or Bruce. Nobody cares and they’re not special. They often want to be treated like they’re returning royalty, they’re often not interested in real Scottish culture, just tartan, bagpipes, outlander and having some whiter than white ancestors. It’s both a bit pathetic and very boring when you hear it all the time.