I Want To Be Scottish

[handyguy]

I've been doing some research but have not come to any conclusions and wonder if anyone can help me.

I'm an Englishman living in England but want to become Scottish. I've always had a love for the country, and fond memories of holidays to Edinburgh with my family when my kids were growing up. I love the poetry of Robert Burns and feel an affiliation to the Saltire. I love the Scottish landscapes and the Scottish people.

My wife left me last year and I've decided it's time to start making the changes that make me happy, and to be who I want to be. I despise English culture and what this country has become - the election result was the final staw that made me decide that I want to become Scottish.

The impression I get from what I've read is that I can just start calling myself Scottish and filling in forms giving my nationality as Scottish if I wish. It's totally my choice how I wish to identify. Does anyone know if this is correct?

[ummmm]

You can call yourself Scottish if you want. You can call yourself a Klown if you want. Who will stop you?

[shoota]

Have you considered naturism as a potential new identity?
It's a bit difficult to follow that path in Scotland because of all the midges but the benefits are plentiful.

[handyguy]

I thought that I could but just want to make sure I can do so officially. For job applications etc.

[DaisyNonna]

Wonder why she left?

[handyguy]

Sorry was replying to the first question - not sure what you are getting at shoota. I have no desire to become a naturist.

[handyguy]

Excuse me Daisy but if you knew the circumstances perhaps you would not be so flippant.

[jourdain2]

Going by the referendum last Sept.,you just have to live there for a bit.

[Pete65]

Some less than helpful answers on here!

[mazie]

If you love Scotland so much why not move up there? You could be totally involved with the culture and everything Scottish...

[Gavmacp]

Look if we allow someone to play for Scotland because their great grandfather holidayed there then anything goes!

[handyguy]

I can't move to Scotland at the moment due to my circumstances but would love to move there in my later years. I've adopted Motherwell as the football team I support - just loved the name. Would love to go up and see them play.

[mazie]

I love it too and will be living there from the 1st of July :o)

[handyguy]

Lucky you Mazie what part?

[Prudie]

You can go and live in Scotland and put whatever you like on forms but you will never actually be Scottish. I'd like to be Spanish.

[handyguy]

Prudie that's like saying a black person can never be British. Quite offensive actually.

[jourdain2]

Have you any Scottish relatives or ancestors? I ask because if I had been good enough I could have competed for Scotland because my mother was Scottish. My daughter (very talented athlete) did apply to compete for Scotland, but was told that the rules had changed in the last few years and that a Scottish grandma (plus almost all her cousins, uncles etc) did not count any longer. Yet visiting students etc. voted in the referendum, so I think it is a confused situation.

[Gavmacp]

As I said in a previous thread I saw an Indian wearing the kilt and thought he can't do that but after a little thought well actually he can. He was born in India and lived in London for some time but had moved to Glasgow. He understood Scottish culture better than most Scots.

[handyguy]

No I don't have any Scottish relatives unfortunately.

[handyguy]

Fair play to the chap. Not sure I'm ready to wear a kilt though - especially not where I live!!

[Prudie]

It's not offensive at all and it's nothing like the same. Being Scottish is being a specific nationality, being black isn't . You personally will never have Scottish blood.