I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland from Scottish parents. I lived there for about 2 years but moved to America shortly after. Can I still say that I’m Scottish, or am I being THAT American who claims to be European?
Edit: I say I’m American unless people ask about my odd name and why i have extra paperwork, then i say that I’m from Scotland.
Edit2: I’ve gotten quite mixed answers. A lot of no’s but also a lot of if I was born their. Is there a threshold? Also I do not go around telling people I’m Scottish, I’m not a complete ass.
36 comments
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I mean u were born there so technically ur scottish 🤷♀️
The very fact you’re even doing the “can I call myself Scottish” thing proves you’re pretty much 100% American I’m afraid
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Aye, ye are. Prick.
I mean, you were born in Scotland to Scottish parents.. so yes, you are scottish
That American are the ones who have to go back 6 generations to say they are British. Although this question makes you more annoying.
You were born in Scotland. You’re Scottish but the fact you feel you need to question this as though Scotland is some magical land of the fae, shows you’re very much Yankified.
What’s your fondest memory of growing up in Scotland?
No and yes. Genetically Scottish, culturally American.
There are so many Africans and Asians in the U.K. who I consider British under the same circumstances, far more than anyone genetically British. They’ve got the accent, the culture, but they weren’t born here. I don’t think that matters, you are where you’re made not where you were plopped down for a few years you don’t even remember or connect with. I think the American mindset is probably much the same. You’re an American first, that doesn’t mean you’re not Scottish, but it’s secondary and don’t qualify the same as anyone that is culturally Scottish, by my reckoning anyway. If you somehow manage to identify with the Scottish culture more than the American, then there’s probably more of a discussion, otherwise I’d just stick to you being American personally.
“I was born in Scotland and my family is Scottish, but I grew up in the States.”
I’ve lived in Scotland for longer than you have. Can I call myself Scottish? I feel some people would get uncomfortable about me doing that.
THAT American is the kind of person who calls themselves Scottish, Irish, German and Polish because one of their great great grandparents was born there.
Just don’t go around mentioning how Scottish and European you are at every opportunity – it’s not really all that interesting or cool. A person’s nationality shouldn’t be their defining feature.
Your parents are Scottish, you were born in Scotland, that makes you Scottish. But please stop embarrassing yourself
If you’d moved to France I don’t think anyone would claim that you couldn’t be both French and Scottish, as you have strong links to Scotland thanks to your immediate family and have returned often to visit.
It’s unfortunate that you happen to fall into the same broad category as the ‘my great-great-great-great aunt was Mary, Queen of Scots’ type of American, but beyond that your case isn’t the same at all.
You were born in Edinburgh to im guessing fully Scottish parents so you’re Scottish
I think the important distinction to make is that Americans tend to see being Scottish as an ethnicity, Scottish people tend to see being Scottish as a nationality and culture.
So blood and ancestry isn’t important to Scottish people, it’s where you think you belong. If you have grown up majority of your life in America, have an American accent, and do American things we shall assume you are American and not Scottish.
I do appreciate though you might want to honor your Scottish heritage, which is totally okay and nobody is going to judge you for. It’s just those Americans who walk around saying they’re Scottish because my great grandmother came from Scotland is just grating, they have very little in common with Scotland and Scottish culture. I’d bet you have at least a bit, having Scottish parents.
So you are Scottish, more so than Italian Americans are Italian/Irish Americans in most cases. As long as you don’t have it as your whole personality it’s fine lol
I was born in England but moved to Scotland at 2 months old and stayed there until I was 16. I’m Scottish, not English. You’re American of Scottish descent but you’re not culturally Scottish.
Born in Scotland to Scottish parents isn’t what this annoyance is about.
It’s saying you’re [XYZ] because you’re a seventh generation American who got taken for a fool by Ancestry.com.
If I was born in a barn, would I be livestock?
I’s say you’re Scottish to be honest ✌️❤️
You’re American, but nothing wrong with saying you were born in Scotland and are technically Scottish.
I get it the other way round, being technically American but I’ve never lived there. I’ll say I’m English to anyone who asks, but if we get into conversation then I’ll likely mention I have an American passport.
Occasionally someone does the ‘just a foreigner’ thing at me so it’s quite fun pointing out I could become President, unlike say Arnold Schwarzenegger (must update my reference for a right-wing naturalised foreigner…)
The fact you say “Edinburgh, Scotland” rings all sorts of bells!!! This is r/AskUK so I think “Scotland” is a given!!
I was born in Australia and only lived there 18 months. I don’t call myself Australian.
What year did WW2’start?
If you say 1939 you can call yourself Scottish if you like.
Honestly it sounds to me like you have more right to call yourself Scottish than any other American does. Most of them have never even been to the country they associate themselves with. But still, don’t do it.
Do you happen to have dual citizenship?
If you only say you are Scottish in response to a direct question about where you were born then there is no issue here. If you wear a kilt and loudly explain that it is your family tartan then there is an issue. It’s not how you think of yourself that matters, but how you act.
My boss did all of his schooling in Scotland and then moved to the states for 30 years. He is unambiguously american. You don’t stand a chance.
As long as you refer to Edinburgh as “Edinburgh, Scotland” on the UK subreddit you’re not really Scottish. There’s only one Edinburgh (in the UK).
Jokes aside, saying you’re from Scotland is different than saying you’re Scottish, in my opinion. You’re from here, but not Scottish culturally speaking as you didn’t grow up in Scotland
Who’s giving a shit enough to ask where you’re from? I think you’ve got an ingrained Americanism that you feel you have to tell people your heritage. Sorry mate you’re one of them.
I’m Scottish and I live in England. You’re Scots-American.
Approaching this from the other side, if I asked an English black person where they are from, like where they are really from, genetically? Cos they clearly aren’t English, right? I would be a racist.
So I think you are American.
If you have to ask….
You’re more Scottish than Bonnie Prince Charlie….
Only once you’ve been to Edinburgh and bought a kilt on the Royal Mile can you truly call yourself American.