Scottish and Irish reactions to tourists confusing the two countries range from bemusement to disgust. I find the confusion understandable because Ireland and Scotland have so much in common. They share Celtic ancestry, are geographically close, struggled for centuries by Great Britain, are coveted retreats for golfers world wide, and they have similar traditional music and dance that many Americans find puzzling.
In my opinion, the shared bloodlines and history of oppression in Irish and Scottish culture are understood, unspoken, and taken as a matter of course on both sides. At the same time the Irish and the Scottish have developed unique historical and cultural identities over the centuries and are understandably proud of them.
The irritation arises from outsiders barging in for a week or two without taking the time to learn a bit about each country’s personality and history, much like twins who adore each other but resent it when others can’t tell them apart.
That said, the accents are different. Their history is different. The governments are different. Ireland is a country of its own and governs itself through the Irish Constitution and Parliament. Roughly the top third of the island, Northern Ireland is separate from the rest of the island and remains part of the United Kingdom. Scotland is now part of the United Kingdom – it was an independent nation originally but it joined with England politically to form the UK. Scotland has its own parliament but the federal decisions are made in England.
The geography is different. Ireland is a small island by itself, off the coast of the United Kingdom. Scotland is in the North of the same landmass as the rest of the UK, about an 8 hour drive from London. While Ireland was left almost untouched by the Industrial Revolution, Scotland was in the midst of it. A good deal of the Irish countryside (which is most of Ireland) remains much as it did hundreds of years ago.
The currency is different. Ireland’s currency is the Euro. Scotland’s currency is the Pound, though Euros are often accepted as well. The economies are different. Scotland is known for banking. The Royal Bank of Scotland owns many US banks. Ireland has a new software industry and is the “silicon valley” of Europe.
Modern music and film are different. Think Ireland: U2 Scotland: Annie Lennox. While I had only a passing romance with Annie’s music, I’m still an enduring U2 fan. I have a weakness for both Irish and Scottish films because I love a good cry. While there are many wonderful exceptions, the most well known Irish and Scottish films from Braveheart to Angelas Ashes involve the pillaging and subjugation of Celtic people.
About the kilts: they are the traditional dress of the Scottish , not Irish. Scottish kilts come in tartan patterns that date back centuries and are part of a clan or regional identity, almost like wearing your family flag. Many people confuse the traditional Irish Lein-croich – a long tunic made from solid black, yellow, or green – for a kilt. And what is under the kilt? While it was quite traditional for Scotsmen to wear their kilt unencumbered by under garments, it’s now considered passé to roam about the highlands al fresco.