One thing that tends to get overlooked when making comparisons between the Scots and the Irish and the carry over of culture is the outlook of those who emmigrated.

George Macdonald Fraser, in his book "The Steel Bonnets" says that it does not surprise him one jot, that the first human being to set foot on land outwith planet Earth was an Armstrong, or that the man who sent him there was a Nixon. He also points out that for the percentage make up of the peoples of the United States of America, there are a disproportionate number of Scots, or people of Scottish descent, in America's Hall of Fame.

The Reformation in Scotland in 1560 brought, among other things, access to education for all. The languages used in Scottish schools were Latin and English. By the time emmigration started on any sort of scale, the general population of Scotland was one of the most literate in Europe. Within that system, men of science, medicine, engineers and men of commerce were the most highly valued. Poets, musicians and artists were well regarded but few in number. Where and when they travelled, the emmigrant Scots tended to be forward looking, fully intent on making the best of the opportunities presented.

Starting during the reign of William IV and continuing through the reign of Queen Victoria, Scotland and things Scottish became increasingly "fashionable". The style adopted was firmly based on what was acceptable then. There were no "mock jocks" then - only in the continuation of that style are they viewed so now - and that is wrong, because they were the ones who built for Scotland and it's people, a reputation for honesty, hard-work and excellence.

So with regard to what is the "real thing" for the Scots, why shouldn't it be in pipe music, or in fiddle and accordian bands playing music to accompany traditional scottish dancing - just because it wasn't cool to city dwelling Scots while they were growing up does not necessarily make it pretentious or governed by class or position.

Ozmacca was surprised that;
"I had never seen so much tartan in one place ever before! But these were all ordinary people, the plumbers and carpenters and bricklayers, not the classes with which we had associated this kind of activity back home."

Well the case exactly as you saw it used to be the norm where I hailed from in Scotland Oz, dances and functions attended by plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers and mill workers - ordinary people.

Hogmanay in Scotland now is a party on Princess Street, with laid on entertainment. When I lived in Scotland the only entertainment laid on was laid on by ourselves. You entered houses first footing on the understanding that at one point you would have to entertain the company, either by song, dance, recitation or story - that's how a hell of a lot of the songs have survived and been carried forward - real traditional 'folk' songs, tunes and tales. Try to get that sort of evening going now and you'd be doomed to failure without microphones, amplifiers, backing tracks and a drum kit. Even if all those are available don't expect anyone to know any words - they don't matter any more, all that is required is mumbled moaning that is roughly in tune with the accomplished stuff they are thumping out on whatever bit of wood or plastic they are holding in their hands.

Aye, Laddie!! - The "Real Thing" !!!!! If that's it you are welcome to it.