Posted on 09/13/2014 8:27:32 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
With its ragged hills, rolling meadows and a climate that often requires wool clothing, Western Pennsylvania can seem like home to a Scot.
Gordon Reid, who was born in Glasgow but now lives in Upper St. Clair, says on early mornings at the Ligonier Highland Games when pipers are warming up and mist is rising in the chill air, “You can close your eyes and open them again, and you'd think you were in Scotland.”
These days, Scotland and its people are having a moment in the spotlight. Scottish actors are popping up just about everywhere, and the hit new TV miniseries “Outlander” takes place in the Highlands. Here in Pittsburgh, bagpipes continue to grow in popularity, and the country's heritage is celebrated each fall with the Highland Games.
Most importantly, on Sept. 18, Scots will vote on possible independence from England, one of the biggest issues to confront the people and their heritage.
The Scottish legacy has thrived in the Pittsburgh region. Although the number claiming Scots heritage isn't that high — about 4 percent, including those of Scots-Irish descent, according to the 2012 American Community Survey — their role in the area's history is greater, says Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Arriving here early in the days of colonial settlement, the Scots were among the first wave of immigrants, Masich says. They were members of the British military who came to settle the colonies. It creates a bloodline that goes back hundreds of years.
“They are the backbone of early Pittsburgh,” he says. “They are part of the area's DNA, figuratively and literally.”
Masich bears a first name that is a tribute to his Scottish great-great-grandfather, William Wallace Andrews (1825-94), part of a family line from Scotland that came to this area in 1783, he says.
The Scots raise their voices to let their presence be felt in events such as the Ligonier Highland Games on Sept. 20, the Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming in the summer or Tartan Day in the spring.
The Rev. John Lolla even has launched a new celebration: Scottish Heritage Day Sept. 14 at Northmont United Presbyterian Church in Ross. He wants his event to be an enjoyable way to remember the Scottish Reformation, which led to the founding of the Presbyterian Church in 1560 and was at the root of the ideas of separation of church and state and freedom of conscience.
SCOTS HERITAGE
Scottish heritage plays a large role locally because of the work of two dissimilar men: John Forbes and Andrew Carnegie.
Jeff Graham, head of interpretive history at Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County, says Forbes “succeeded where two others — Edward Braddock and George Washington — failed” in establishing British control at what would become Pittsburgh.
Forbes might get credit as “the founding father,” but his role here is limited compared to Carnegie, Masich says. Carnegie was a major figure in creating Pittsburgh as the headquarters of steel.
He was the founder of the Carnegie Steel Co., which became the U.S. Steel Corp. when he sold it to J.P. Morgan. Carnegie's concern with philanthropy led to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, libraries where the common man could advance himself and a school that became Carnegie Mellon University.
Curiously enough, Masich says, Forbes and Carnegie were born in the same town in Scotland, Dunfermline, also the burial site of Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), who led the nation's forces in the struggle to independence.
VOTING ON INDEPENDENCE
The upcoming independence vote in Scotland has stirred heart-felt opinions on both sides of the issue.
Many are passionately in favor of it, such as Celtic performer and album producer Bruce Golightly, who says he would vote for independence “in a heartbeat.” If he were a Scottish citizen, that is. The Squirrel Hill resident performs under the name DruidSong.
“Some years ago, I wrote a song called ‘Freedom' about the need for independence,” he says.
Paul Thompson, head of the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh, has dual citizenship and is greatly torn. He recognizes the vote as a “national pride thing” but worries about matters such as national defense, economics and the wisdom of being tied to the European Union rather than the United Kingdom.
James Gourlay, artistic director of River City Brass and a native Scot, has the same fear.
“My heart says yes, but my mind says no,” he says.
Polls early on show a close vote, but the independence movement has gained some popularity recently, causing the British pound to slump. The voice of celebrities is equally torn, from Sean Connery in favor to Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling donating a million pounds to a “no” group called Better Together.
Thompson even worries that the European Union might dislike the independence vote because it would cause similar thinking elsewhere, such as with a Basque separatist movement in Spain.
Gordon Reid was in Scotland recently and says, at that point, 68 percent of those polled showed disfavor. Although recent polling has tightened, the native of Glasgow doesn't “think it will go through.” He believes the current union, in existence since 1707, is working.
Reid is president of the Clan Donald Educational and Charitable Trust, which sponsors the Ligonier Highland Games with the St. Andrew's Society.
Do Scottish footballers play as dirty as the Steelers?
I wish I could remember where I read it, but years ago I read about an informal poll taken among NFL players as to who was the dirtiest NFL player. Pittsburgh's Lynn Swan got the most votes.
That rather surprised me.
Really? I would have thought that title would go to well, anyone on the Raiders team. Steelers play rough, real football. If Thursday’s game is any indication, the refs have been told to no longer allow real hits. Anything past girl scout flag football has become unnecessary roughness. However, holding Steelers defensive ends virtually every play is just fine.
Pens play dirty as well. what a bunch of divers..
I don’t get it, I’m reading articles about Texas and Pittsburgh and their bonds with Scotland and the vote for independence. Next will it will be Kearney, NJ? Why do we care? What are the negatives or positives if this vote succeeds? I’m of Scottish decent, my grandfather was born and raised in Johnston but I don’t understand how it effects the US.
My Scott ancestors have been fighting for centuries for independence from England’s forced rule. From William Wallace to King Robert Bruce. Scotland has fought for its freedom from England’s oppression.
This got all tied up in the succession to the throne since James 1 who was Elizabeth 1 heir.
Time it happened.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.