Kids talk

Aimee, Jonathan and Murray, S2, talk to Julia Belgutay about what it means to them to be Scottish
16th March 2012, 12:00am

Share

Kids talk

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/kids-talk-69

Jonathan: There are the stereotypes.

Murray: But Scotland is made up of so many different cultures. I think to be Scottish you have to really be able to appreciate Scotland the way it is.

Jonathan: One thing I know about Scottish people, not the stereotype of wearing a kilt, is that you can just talk to anyone. My dad does that all the time - he just talks to random strangers, and I have seen other people do it.

Aimee: I think if you feel in your heart you are Scottish, then you are Scottish.

Murray: I think if you can go to another country and say to people, “I am a Scot”.

Jonathan:. and not feel embarrassed by that.

Murray:. then you would be Scottish.

Aimee: I don’t think it matters how long you have lived in the country.

Murray: Definitely not, because I have had some friends who have lived here for a long time, but still identify themselves as Indian or English or Irish. I think it’s within yourself.

Aimee: Passports you only really use for identification or to get into a different country, so they don’t matter. You wouldn’t go show your friend your passport and be like.

Murray:. “This proves I’m Scottish!” You can’t get a Scottish passport. It’s more a cultural thing or something you can feel, rather than a bit of paper that says you are this or you are that.

Aimee: I think everyone is proud to be Scottish. You may get the odd stereotype that puts you off being Scottish - that we all have red hair, wear kilts and eat haggis all the time.

Murray: And in the morning we go and hunt our breakfast.

Aimee: Traditions are more habits than traditions.

Jonathan: There are some people who, I think, don’t really care about their nationality - they are just people. There are people like that. I think.

Aimee: I feel Scottish, but I also like being British as well.

Murray: I’m culturally Scottish. I was born here, I’ve lived here, I go to ceilidhs, I wear a kilt on St Andrew’s Day. But at the same time, we don’t speak Scottish Gaelic, we speak British English. Culturally, you can be both. We are ruled by the UK government, and for that reason I would identify myself as primarily Scottish, but then I would say I’m a Briton.

Jonathan: I would say I was Scottish, because I have lived here all my life. And I know that may sound like a cheesy movie thing, but it does feel like the place is kind of part of me.

Aimee: Oh, that’s so sweet!

Jonathan: I knew you were going to say that.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared