gwen, if I may clear a few things up.

I did not say america has or is a version of watered down culture. On the contrary i have been to several locations in america and I find american culture as unique as anywhere in europe, I said that their definition of scottish culture is watered down.

I am aware that scotlands current culture is differant from its past, I emphazized this in my previous post.

It is indeed true that kilts are worn far more in america, than in scotland. This is irrelevant to the point I was making.

I can understand taking interest in your ancestors, I cannot understand taking specific interest in only one part of an americans heritage. The vast, vast majority of americans with scots heritage of many more ancestors who are not scottish i.e german, french, english etc.

scotland has also had no larger impact on americanl/canada than any other european nation. one of the countries denied the history they played in americas founding is england. I constantly hear americas claim that the founding father were predominantyl scottish, this is only part true they were also descended from the english/welsh/germans et. etc.

ladyofavalon, I do not see nor have I experianced canadians or more specifically nova scotians, to display relevant scots culture. Tartan day is a canadian/american day celebrating a foreign point of view on the culture of scotland. This is not a bad thing. however, having visited canada I can say that canadians and americans have very opposite values to the scots and irish.

I have met "scottish" canadians and when they were in a room with native scots they had no clue about our real indigenous culture. They had no clue what we were talking about. They did not understand our point of view, beliefs and ... yes .... culture.

culture is something lived in everyday, it is not a one day a year interpretation of a culture developed and evolved three thousand miles away that has never been even visited let alone lived in. Nor can culture be understand or experianced from being read in a book. Many people say that culture has been passed through them from generation to generation. This I believe is bollocks, culture becomes watered down and ceases to exist when you dont live in that cultures host countries with the people that defines that culture. I have irish ancestors half of my family are irish and still live in ireland. I have visited ireland several times, and I do not see any aspects of my life that are entertwined with irish culture. Nor can I claim to understand irish culture.

any way ladyofavalon I hope this answer suffices, if not then please ask me any questions or tel me if you disagree

thanks

lady of avalon could you explain how 2 - 5th generation immigrants have held on to their 'scottishness' more so than the scots. ?

apologies ulster

Become a doctor, nurse, it worker, financial expert or something relevent to the current irish economy. You will not get a visa to workin ireland as an animator.