Questioning the Scottish Question

Murrayfield stadium falls silent as Chris Patterson measures his first kick of the game. The crowds hold their breath. Patterson simply stands poised over the rugby ball for what seems an eternity. The sound of the dull thud of boot on leather echoes around the stadium. The ball glides effortlessly through the air and straight between the posts. An eruption of sound follows as thousands of Scottish fans jump from their seats cheering. This is Scotland vs. England. Every year the two nations clash for the Calcutta Cup.

This is not only a mere game though. This is a contest of pride. This is the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Bannockburn, and Culloden all put together, rejoiced and rejuvenated in the form of a ferocious sport. Rugby. The roaring crowd clad in blue shirts sing their national anthem, Flower of Scotland. Bagpipes can be heard piercing the din. This is Scottish nationalism at its best.

But watching the game from the comfort of his home, settled in an old comfortable armchair, sipping a glass of Scotch is an old historian and university professor. But he is far from the crowds. He is far from the cheering, and roaring cries of passion and joy. There is just a small glimmer flickering in the deepest of chasms in his heart, the slightest of sentiments that can relate to the scenes on the old television screen.

The professor is deep in thought sifting through the volumes of knowledge stacked upon the dusty shelves of the spacious library in his mind. He pours himself another Scotch as he ponders over the question that is troubling him, ‘Is Scotland really a nation?’

This has been debated by academics, historians, and politicians for years and years. During recent years as Scotland modernised, so did its national identity. The Braveheart phenomenon seemed to have solidified the idea of the Scottish nation. Furthermore, it seems to have also given fuel to the debate on Scottish independence.

But what is public opinion in Scotland? Do people feel Scottish or British? There is actually quite a large crack in the debate on Scottish independence. There is not enough popular support. This divide has existed for centuries and seems to echo the historical differences of the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. The Jacobite rebellion of 1745 against the English instigated by “Bonnie Prince Charlie” was heavily romanticised through song and tales. This rebellion received popular support from the Highland clans, but little from the Lowland clans. What is kicked under the carpet today is the fact that most of the troops present in the English army of the Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Culloden, were actually Lowland Scots.

Is it possible then that this rebellion was viewed in Scotland as a mere nuisance by the unionists and those who opposed Scottish independence at the time? The Jacobite cause was crushed at Culloden resulting in the outlawing of the kilt, bagpipes, and the Gaelic language, a major feature of Highland culture.

So is there any substance behind claims for Scottish independence? According to polls in 2007 made by an organization called “Independence First”, 44% of the Scottish population sought independence as opposed to the 42% who were for the continuation of the union with England. Though opinion is split, there is still an undeniably large portion of Scots who seek independence. Throughout the centuries Scotland has seen its place as a nation in history books, articles, academic journals, and common language, through the usage of the term “Scotland”. Even the antis refer to Scotland as being Scotland. There is after all no other name for the region north of the English border.

Throughout the history of Scotland since 843, Scottish Kings have attempted to unite its people against English dominion. Though many were tempted by English promises for land and titles in return for loyalty to the King of England, the core belief in Scottish sovereignty has withstood the storms that have attempted to blow out its existence.

These thoughts were now racing through the professor’s mind as he tipped the last remains of the Scotch down his throat. He could feel the warmth rising from his stomach and a fiery sense of national pride enveloping him as he watched the sea of youth clad in blue shirts scream out their national anthem on the old television screen.