Things those in England and beyond believe Scotland (light hearted).

[Cryofthecurlew]

Ive moved from England to Scotland and love it here it never ceases to amaze me how little others know or understand about Scotland here are some examples.

1. I think many think Scotland isn't much bigger than the Isle of Wight . E.G. A coupe of friends have come to stay: "I love the programme Shetland can we go to Shetland for the day?" "err no because it 450+ miles away" (I live in Dumfries and Galloway). Friends looks totally stunned. Another can we "pop" into Edinburgh to see the Castle? Again "not really its a 2 3/4 hour drive" Again friends looked totally stunned. One said does the Edinburgh Festival affect your parking? See previous comment.
2. On the other hand we may be the size of the Isle of Wight in many peoples eyes but our distance from the rest of England is huge. One friend happily drove to right down into Cornwall approx 300 miles but said she said as she didn't like "long distance driving' I live just over 300 miles from her she would come to see me on the train which involved 4 changes and someone driving her to a station and me picking her up and took well over 8 hours (we are just over 5 hours by car).

When I drive back to England many say how many stops do you take? Reply 'usually only 1" "Gosh you drive ALL that way and only stop once?" Same friend drove to London 157 miles does stoop at all fair enough but it only double the distance.

1. A very common heard comment: "Of course the Scots hate the English dont you find that difficult?" I have never met such a friendly bunch as the Scots in fact when I go back to England I now wonder what the hell is wrong with everyone because where I live you would always stop and talk to someone you meet. Even in a big city like Glasgow `I find many people smile and acknowledge you when you walk by them.
2. "Nicola Sturgeon is so awful I regularly hear this. I have no views either way and I don't constantly hear my Scottish friends say this even if they dont support independence so I always ask why they don't like her. Nobody seems to be able to explain why they say she's awful.
3. Finally why didn't you move to the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales its sooo beautiful there? I have lived in many places and know both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District I agree the scenery is beautiful but I think many Scotland is as beautiful if not more beautiful including where I live and its not heaving in tourists!!

@Aaahhhbump you know the opposite is true in winter don’t you? Really I hate this divisive stuff. There are stupid and ignorant and bigoted people on both sides of every border in the world. I’m not sure how a “aren’t the English ignorant?!” Thread is any better than an ignorant English Person not knowing the geography of Scotland. Both equally ignorant in my boom.

If you've found some English folk have a strange views of Scotland imagine what it was like living in England during being the 70s and 80s and being from Northern Ireland! Mind you,now I live in N.ireland, I find a lot of people here think all of England is industrial and busy. They really don't believe me that we lived in a very rural area.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I find it fascinating.

I like the relativity of perception, it's just up/down the road but it's great enough to impact the distribution of light for millions of miles away and you can see the evidence of it right in front of you.

I'm Scottish. My manager, his manager and all the team are in London. I negotiated a home based contract. Have not travelled yet (Covid etc).

His manager keeps saying "You should pop down for a coffee"

Aye hen, I'll be there in 5 mins....

If it was a full day event, sure, but she clearly thinks I'm round the corner!