Scottish Cringe
Billy Kay, the author, broadcaster, authority on Scots and energetic advocate for the language writes: . . . as most MSPs and most Scots have not been educated in their own culture, ignorant attitudes abound, and the Scottish cringe is everywhere. I collect examples: the education convener in a Labour fiefdom who replied to the proposal that Scottish studies should be an integral part of his schools’ curriculum, “Oh, no, we live in a multi-cultural environment!” Apparently every culture was to be taught except the native one!
A few years ago when I asked a Fife headmaster if Scottish literature was encouraged in his school, the reply left me almost speechless . . . “No, this is not a very Scottish area.” Can you imagine an English or Irish headmaster making such a statement?
It shows how far we have to go in renewing Scotland after centuries of self inflicted cultural colonialism. I have actually heard educated Scots argue that no Scottish history from before 1707 should be taught in our schools, as it only foments “dangerous nationalism”. The Catalans reckoned it would take three generations after autonomy for a similar “slave mentality” to be replaced with cultural and political self confidence. With us it might take a bittie longer!
Many Scots deny the existence of the Cringe but very few wholeheartedly embrace what has been called the ‘shortbread tin’ image of Scottish culture. Fortunately we have a new wave of writers and musicians who are powering Scottish culture to undreamt-of heights and our young people have a new self-confidence and an international outlook.