to ask how you feel about Scottish Independence?

[PierreBourdieu]

Particularly looking for opinions from South of the Border, but all opinions welcome. My FB is awash with Independence fever after the rally in Edinburgh yesterday. As a Scotwoman I am always interested to hear the views of the English and get that perspective. I'll not disclose whether I'm pro or anti as I suppose it's not relevant here, also not looking for a bunfight! Care to share?

Lots of those example could be used for many English cities too I would have thought.

Of course she lives in Scotland, where have I said that anyone doesn't!

londonone, I'm Scottish because I was born in Scotland. I have a name which begins with "Mc" and a first name generally regarded as Scottish. So if you just saw my name written down, you'd probably guess "Scottish" I was brought up in, and am a member of the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian (Calvinist) church quite different to the Episcopalian Church of England. I went to a Scottish state comprehensive, so I sat Scottish O Grades and Highers, and from there I went to a Scottish University where I got a degree in Scots Law. I'm not qualified to practise as a lawyer in England. At Hallowe'en I (and now my kids) go guising. I have a very small smattering of Gaelic, and indeed, have used it twice in the past week (three times in the past fortnight.)

Is this the sort of thing you're asking about when you ask what makes someone culturally Scottish?

I am English living in Scotland and find there are many cultural differences along with the legal, education, political and health system.

It's an odd country to live in from an outsider perspective - different to England but the people are also very different to each other you average Weegie very different to your hunting and shooting Highlander or your Islander or Fifer.
So immigration means there are many new settlers such as myself who have an interest in independence - I hope the old anti English sentiment is not dragged out as it makes the cause of independence seem weak and parochial.

Aboutlastnight - you do know that 'Weegie' is generally used as a negative term?!

It absolutely is NOT! I'm a proud Weegie! Don't talk nonsense.

I agree with that aboutlastnight, I can completely understand the appetite for Independence but I do roll my eyes when all the anti English guff is rolled out. Parochial indeed.

Yep, that helps and I certainly agree that he legal system sets you apart. The rest however I am not so sure! As no doubt there are many Muslims etc who also identify as Scottish and i can think of many "english" Mcs!

I've never heard Weegie used a negative term. Lots of Glaswegians refer to themselves as such.

I've always been brought up to believe its on par with calling someone a pikey.

I'm not Glasweigan (well I am ish) from very nearby so my accent now means that I get called a Weegie where I live more and its a negative thing to denote aggression.

Really? I live in Glasgow and thought it was an affectionate term. Hell I'm a cockney, used in a perjorative way sometimes but sometimes affectionate. Guess it depends on the context.

Weegie is a diminutive of Glaswegian. Like someone from Dublin is called a Dub.

And if those things are what makes you Scottish would you consider people who weren't church of Scotland, went to university in England etc not to be Scottish?

Weegie? Negative? First I have heard of it! Just a nickname for Glaswegians same as inversneckies, those that live in Inverness. Calm down!

As for independence I think we should take the opportunity if we can get it. It's an issue that will never let up until its given a go. That's my highly political take on it.

My family just always taught me it wasn't a term to be used.

Where I live now they use it as an insult i.e I'm a weegie because I sound rough apparently

I didn't suggest that people who are not Presbyterian / not "Mcs" aren't Scottish!! I know of one Muslim who wears a tartan hijab on Burns night and St Andrews Day. I was just trying to give examples personal to me of what my Scottish identity means; not to exclude someone with a different but equally valid interpretation!

Hmmm

Pikey = gipsy, Irish traveller in England. It is a very offensive term down there, on a par with dissing your mum. I would not put Weegie in the same bracket , I thought Scots reserved the term 'Ned' for that.

Looks like even those in Scotland aren't sharing the same cultural identity when it comes to language!

You are Scottish if you choose to define yourself as Scottish.

fateloves we need more of that attitude. We need to shrug off the scaredy cat, underdog image of the mouse couchant and grab this opportunity by the bollocks! Change is good.

But I am English and stand corrected on many things every day just to underline my 'outsider' status

Pure mince - I was asking genuinely not suggesting you were doing so

It's up to the Scots, obviously. But I'd be sad to lose such a close link and to be that little more distanced.

I find it hard to define a "British" culture which fits me as well as my "Scottish" culture. I have a professional qualification which isn't "British" because I'm only qualified to practise in Scotland, for example.

Lastnight - Ned is on par with Chav (I think :o)

Pikey or Gypo is traveller