Understanding Scottish Identity: What Makes a Person Scottish Rather Than British

When discussing nationality, there are two distinct aspects to consider: legal position and cultural identity. The term 'British' applies to citizenship and legal standing within the United Kingdom, while 'Scottish' pertains to cultural and national identity rooted in Scotland.

Legal Positions and Cultural Identities

There are two layers to the concept of 'Nationality': the legal position and the cultural identification. The legal position refers to ones eligibility for rights and citizenship within a country, such as a British citizen. On the other hand, cultural identity is the sense of belonging and following the traditions and customs of a particular national group, such as Scottish culture.

Cases of Cultural and Legal Divergence

Let us explore several cases to illustrate these points:

A Scottish Scientist Moving to Britain: A prominent middle-aged scientist defected to Britain from an opposing nation. The scientist lived in Britain for five years, eventually losing their original nationality. While they gained British citizenship to secure travel rights and residency, their cultural identity remained rooted in their birth country. A British Father and His Spanish-Registered Child: A British man fathered a child with a Spanish woman during his holiday in Spain. The child was registered with the Spanish girl as its mother due to the man’s abandonment. Although the child is a full British citizen by descent, they did not gain British cultural identity. An Irish Couple in Northern Ireland: Irish parents worked in Northern Ireland and had a child. After returning to Ireland, the child, though eligible for British nationality by birth in a UK jurisdiction, identified as Irish. This case illustrates the cultural aspect of identity that can override legal nationality.

Scotich and British Citizenship

Being from Scotland inherently means you are part of the British nation. It is impossible to be Scottish, Northern Irish, Welsh, or English while not being part of the broader British identity. If you were born in, or have acquired citizenship in, the United Kingdom, you are a citizen of that country. Your passport will confirm this legal standing.

However, it is important to note that simply having leave to remain or a permanent residence visa does not grant you the right to dissuade the UK government or call for changes to your situation within Britain. If you are unhappy, you can always choose to leave or apply for citizenship elsewhere.

Implications for Scottish Nationalists

Those who support Scottish independence but do not agree with the current model of identity must consider the implications of their stance. If Scottish nationalists want to live in a Scotland that is truly independent and follows Scottish cultural practices, they should feel free to move to a place like Ireland, Venezuela, Pakistan, or even Gaza, renounce their British citizenship, and take up the citizenship of their new home.

This act would not only alleviate their dissatisfaction but also contribute positively to their new cultural environment, raising the collective IQ in these nations with the emigration of well-educated individuals.

Ultimately, while there may be subtle differences between Scottish and British identities, these are often more influenced by personal environment and upbringing than any inherent divergence.