Scottish identity

[chocoluvva]

Do you feel you have one?

If you're not Scottish living in Scotland, do you think there is a Scottish identity?

Kezia Dugdale on the thread again?

The George square episode was evidence that there are idiots everywhere. Believe it or not, the referendum was largely an experience where most people were open, honest and pleasant.

Through out Britain, plonkers exist and will embarrass their country.

The French I work with are strongly critical of the socialist policies of their government having destroyed their chances of finding a good job in France. No other Scots working here at my place of work, but there are plenty of former Scottish software contractors who used to work in the Scottish finance sector. Perhaps moving for work reduces insularity?

Lots of people live in and love Scotland without identifying as Scots. Nationalism is ugly.

Silverdaisy - well put. Apart from some eejits that was generally my experience, too.

What I'm saying is that the impression that many of us have as No voters have is that we are not 'truly' Scottish because we voted to stay within the UK. The referendum brought out the absolute worst in people on all sides, but one of the major accusation that was flung from the Yes side was that we were somehow traitors. Scottishness has been hijacked for political gain - and whether or not you think it should or should not have an effect, it does.

My experience was that it was foolish to be an open no voter. I made that mistake (the once!) and was vilified for it. Sorry.

If you voted 'yes' why do you want to be an independent country. When you already have a parliament and have so many matters devolved? And get more £ per capita than England or Wales?

Thanks chiruri

The press played a huge part in trying to divide and conquer. Giving voice to the extremes of both sides. Rather than the measured folk in Britain.

Daisy - that might have been your experience. It certainly wasn't mine. It wasn't open or honest, it was one of the most divisive episodes in our history imo and hopefully won't be repeated for many, many years to come.

Wanting independence for independence's sake is a valid standpoint.

BakewellSlice - that sounds horrible and ridiculous: the majority of Scots are traitors?

Silverdaisy, while I agree that there were plonkers on both sides, the referendum was absolutely not fucking pleasant. It made me ill. I was off work for a month.

I never met the measured ones then.

Off to bed now - night all

I also felt that there was (and still is) a bullying and intolerant element to the Yes vote and to many Scottish government actions and legislative proposals (it is very centrist and conformist).

I honestly find the things some people said on FB very shocking. Ok, FB is a sounding off board for some of the more extreme, but some of these comments also came from people I know. I couldn't get involved in online spats, because I feared it would cause embarrassment at work, but I read the comments. So many of them are made by dissappointed men, who seem to blame everyone but themselves for not being handed the riches and easy lives they so evidently think their due. Some women too. And then they will turn round and tell me I'm stupid or that I should get out of Scotland because I don't agree. And for this, they expect me to pay more tax in the name if socialism?

That alienates me.

As an American, I'm a bit hesitant to jump in here, but isn't one of the main factors in the acceleration of the independence movement the disconnect between the politics of Westminster, especially under the Tories, and a more left-leaning political culture in Scotland?

SirChenjin I'm sorry that you feel that way. I certainly don't feel more Scottish for being a Yes voter; I feel Scottish because I was born here, brought up here, and feel a strong affinity for the country and its people. I saw the referendum as a vote based on financial, social and political views and priorities. It had nothing to do with my emotional attachment to the country. I appreciate that maybe I'm in the minority with this, but certainly within my family and peers my experience is that I am not.
I don't have any interest in continuing the actual yes/no debate. Everything that can be said has been said a hundred times over and doesn't need repeating. (This is not directly aimed at you, SirChenjin, just tagged on to my already far too long post).

Sir, I'm sorry you feel that way. We all experience different things in life. So I am mearly posting on what I experienced In my life. I do not speak for the majority, nor would I try. Hence I would not speak on behalf of Scotland and "our" history.

Alpha you have been really quite rude on a thread that has been (given the subject matter) rather friendly and polite.

You might want to consider whether your comments were necessary, true or kind?

I can't even understand Alpha's last comment!

Alpha btw as I mentioned, I'm a yes voter.

I'm educated to post graduate level (RG uni too no less)

I'm not sure how you personally measure 'success' but I'm pretty damn sure I could meet your criteria.

Clean let's just be friends?

Rose always the way!

And perhaps those who felt the referendum was "open honest and pleasant" should reflect on why the silent majority felt the need to be silent?

They weren't silent where I live! As said, we can only base opinion on our own experiences and these cleat differ. I stand by what I have said.

Eigg and Bakewell, she is clearly shit-stirring. I wouldn't engage, there's no point.