Tootler,

I appreciate your explanation. I now understand why there is a need for more entries in the UK census form.

I sympathize with your quandry as to how you will fill out that form. Couldn't you check both?

But, having said that, in the United States, people have told me {unofficial folks} that if a person checks two entries-such as Black and White on census forms or other forms that ask race, the tabulators will chose the first form selected-which is Black.

In the United States, the selection of an "Other" category or "Mixed Race" category by people who are Black/Non-Black has political and fiscal {as well as social} implications as the decreased number of Black people in a state or region or the nation. Since increased numbers equal increased power, the selection of an "Other" category or "Mixed Race" caegory decreases the number of persons who are counted as being Black by that census or poll {though in real life these people may be considered Black by other people because of the way those people look-but that's another story}.

I'm saying this, Tottler, because I wonder if your selection of the Scots entry on that census might have political and/or fiscal implications for Scots as a minority {meaning lesser numbers} group of people in your region or nation. If so, that might be one reason for you to select that entry.

But I hope you will not think that either selection-if it comes down to choosing one or the other-means that you're not equally proud of both sides of your heritage. I beleive you when you said you were proud of both, and, of course, you should be.

Best wishes,

Azizi