Tim Leslie wrote:
=================
> He's not Scottish ... is he??
I'm not Scottish I am 100% English born and bred in Leeds 2
All I can say about the anti English debate is that in 2002 Dundee
University found that 94% of English people living in Scotland found
little or no evidence of anti english feeling. Having said that I think
you have to put the issue into it's proper historical and political context.
The ruling classes from wherever have always done unimaginable bad
things to the scrotes at the bottom of the pile. Which is why "A Parcel
Of Rogues" tells you far more about the situation North of the border
than the interminably boring dirge "Flower Of Scotland". See also
Michael Marra's "Hermless".
Living here since 1990 I have still yet to find a way of not cringeing
when I hear some toffee nosed twat (usually from the south of England)
mispronouncing a beautiful Scottish place name or opining about some
issue which they learnt about from a victor's point of view (you know
the winner always writes the history thing). But then I hated that when
sat in the King's head in Kettlewell.
Red Clydesiders could see a fascist for what it was, Aberdeen communists
had no problem about joing La Quinta Brigada and fighting along side the
good people of Spain. Just in the same way as The Royal Bank Of
Scotland are the most successful company in Scotland and the biggest
bastards to deal with....
My friends and family here, Scottish and English, all have much bigger
fish to fry than whether or not to support England in the world cup.
Issues about our language, the land and the tensions of a nascent
democracy being born out of the Scottish Parliament. For all it's sins
it still gives us more control over our daily lives than when we were
100% ruled from Westminster by people who thought the Poll Tax was a
good idea.
The biggest thing I gained by moving North was my exposure to a fabulous
cultural experience. Music, literature, poetry, art and of course
sport. It also made me realise that there were things like that in
Yorkshire - albeit far less accessible but important to any society
which wants to hold itself in any form of reasoned self esteem.
I would encourage anyone who hasn't experienced the sheer beauty of the
Highlands and Islands to get up here asap - fresh mussels in The Old
Forge at Inverie, a music session in the bunkhouse at the Ceilidh Place
in Ullapool, school kids reciting a poem about a trout at the Provincial
Mod, the heavy events at Applecross Games, dominated by Bernie Fish the
landlord of The local pub who comes from Holmfirth, dancing at the
Sutherland Riding Club's annual dinner in a wee hall at Clashmore,
walking on miles of empty beach in North Uist olr that most excellent
pint in the Clachaig (run by a family from Dewsbury) after climbing the
Buchaille rounded off only by the sunset at Waternish over Loch Bay from
my godparents house. And I haven't even touched on the whisky :-)
Alba Gu Brath!
Betty
P.S. Funny though that as soon as I mention I am from Scotland when
travelling abroad I get treated like a king compared to when I mention
anything about England. Wonder why??????
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oh alright then :-)
