To be worried that the Scottish Borders are anti-English?

[Woodworm2020]

My husband and I are considering moving from London to the Scottish Borders with our two year old son as he has a job opportunity in Edinburgh. We have been incredibly excited and looking specifically around Lauder. I have came across a few things online and heard a few comments in passing that there is quite a strong anti-English sentiment in that area. This obviously makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I’m wondering whether there is anyone from the area that can give an honest perspective? Or anyone from England has moved up to the Scottish Borders. How have you found it? I’m not going to know anyone and was really hoping to be able to immerse myself in a community and now worry that actually that community may not welcome us.
Any advice or insight would be so very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

I live in the Borders, not Lauder area. There are a lot of English people in the Borders. I wouldn't say there is a running anti English theme around. There will always be some people everywhere like that. But I have lived in Scotland for 22 years and the Borders is the most English friendly place I have lived. Should point out I am English. With a Scottish DH who sounds English.

I am English but have lived in Glasgow for nearly 25 years. And even here I honestly can't say I've ever experienced anything that would amount to 'anti English sentiment' in my whole time. I'm not a football fan and imagine that if I was then I might have had more exposure to it, but even then I'm not sure it's the problem that a lot of English people think is.

Id imagine in the borders there will be a much greater crossover of English/Scottish people so the likelihood would be even less. Honestly it's not something I would worry about.

This idea that Scots are ant-English is - with a tiny few exceptions of idiots - utterly fabricated.

You'll have no issues whatsoever.

I honestly don't know what you are talking about? I've lived in very posh parts of Glasgow, the actual city centre, a very poor part and now live and work in (two separate) deprived areas. None of what you say fits with my experience in any of those areas.

I honestly never come across any anti English views here in Scotland. Lots of anti Tory/anti Westminster but nothing specifically aimed at English people. I think a lot of people confuse the online trolls with real people living here, no one cares where anyone is from.

Depending on where you go in Scotland your religion is more likely to cause you trouble than your nationality as parts are very sectarian but don’t think that is a big issue in the borders.

This is accurate and I'm Scottish! (In Scotland). It's not just a rhetoric on Mumsnet. The SNP truly are shit.

I'd also agree with a PP that you might find anti Westminster rather than anti English.

Not my experience sadly but I've mostly been on the receiving end of it at specific times so elections and sporting events bizarrely its also mostly from the 60+ generation too!

My area also has a small minority who don't like "incomers" even if scottish though especially if they are from Edinburgh and have a view that "locals" should get reduced house prices/rents and be a priority for jobs!

There are anti-english vibes in many parts of Scotland. Generally, its not as bad as it used to be.

I've found the Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway (and Edinburgh) to be the least anti-English areas and believe that is because there are such large numbers of English born people living there. In addition the Borders and D&G are so close to the border than many people work and travel over daily.

As others have said, the Borders (like much of Scotland) is absolutely rammed with English people.

Scots are not generally anti-English but unfortunately those who are are greater in number than the occasional idiot.

Laughing at posts that imply standard of living is better in England. Scotland is a fucking utopia compared to that cesspit.

It is about as anti English as the other side is anti Scottish.

Always amuses me when people have a go at the SNP.

I'm not an SNP supporter by any means but fucking hell, they are absolute masterminds compared to the shitshow in westminster.

Here you are @Woodworm2020 in case you were under the impression that everyone in Scotland doesn’t comment on England.

Do ask your question over on Scotsnet (in Talk) you’ll get lots of help, it’s an almost daily question asked on there re moving to Scotland.

Haven't got a clue where you live but i live on the south west coast less than 50 miles from Glasgow and my Husband has never had a problem. He has stood in a pub in an ex mining village and watched Scotland play England and had drinks bought for him by strangers. You must mix with the wrong people.

@SkulkHollow
Fully agree, it's laughable the scaremongering about Scotland when England have those morons in Westminster.
Anti English is something imagined, as to Western Isles, half the bloody houses are english owned holiday homes!
Whereas the English feel free to demean Scotland quite openly and to your face.

Hard to see any issues. Possibly slight banter if a big sporting event but things totally changed since 1998 world cup and Scots tend to want England to do well and at least follow them as many follow English football.
The England Ladies team a classic example, no nasty remarks most wanted to win etc 30 yr ago possibly might have been a few more.
In any case most cheeky Scots would stop if they though the banter was offending you it would be light hearted in vast majority cases.

Not much anti English feelings in the South West, your money go a lot further and great transport links, Moffat area very nice even cheaper and slightly bigger Lockerbie train station perhaps both friendly to incomer also a massive demand for property from folks all over UK

This

I.was born and raised by the border. Its absolutely not anti English. We're all mixed here anyway.