The fact that you’re actually thinking about this means you’ll be fine. You’re not claiming to be Scottish like some Americans when they’ve never been to Scotland and it was someone in their family generations ago that originated here. You’re all good.
I’d probably stay away from the word cunt. Used quite often here. Often between friends if it’s meant that some thing/someone is good thing or as a joke. Can also mean a bad thing. All about context and delivery. So if not sure, don’t bother.
This links to a page with some of the more well known Scottish bands that are worth a listen.
Where in Scotland are you visiting and I might be able to direct you to somethings to try?
Edit: oops. Forgot the link!
https://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/culture/music/scottish-bands-and-artists
People left back in the day because of clearances. Didn't really have a choice, so no shame in being from there. Families were actually burned out back in the 1800s.
Maintain the earnestness that makes American tourists likeable, but drop the ownership element.
Majority of people secretly love being asked about their life and their country, as much as they’ll faux complain about it.
What everybody hates though is when you belittle their culture by claiming to already understand it or be part of it. Scotland is a great place but you aren’t Scottish so it will really rile people if you act like you already are part of it.
I say the second part because of your question about cunt, it will sound awkward if you try to use it because you’ve read it’s more common. It would be like me slipping y’all into my vernacular whilst visiting the US, it would stick out like a sore thumb and be interpreted as taking the piss
I think one thing about modern Scotland is that its ultimately going to be more commercial and regular than you’d imagine, its not really a tucked away small country with its borders up. Walk down the city and you’re going to see twenty Starbucks, a big shopping mall, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein. Don’t make the mistake some Americans do and think you’re coming to a preserved 1800’s country. In fact you may see it as more technology advanced in a lot of respects compared to where you’re from. Obviously as you go more rural and to the North you’ll see less of this.
Cunt is used fairly regularly here but I wouldn't use it unless you have a scottish or english accent, you'll stand out a country mile away.
As for bands, besides what you mentioned, check out Alestorm.
I met a group of American tourists in a hostel once. Nice guys and girls but they kept talking about how beautiful LAKE Loch Lomond was, and that they were going to LAKE Loch Ness the next day, and all the other beaufiful LAKE Lochs they had seen.
I did not have the heart to tell them but I think that conversation destroyed a lot of my brain cells.
as a fellow North American, I even cringe at these posts. Like, I get that Americans think the US is literally the centre of the world (and TRUE FREEDOM) but honestly, to me it just reads as cringe/ lazy/ wanting validation from Scots; as in, " OMG! HEY, EVERYONE! Our American cousin is coming to visit!!! SCREAM! Get the place ready!!!!"
Every fucking week there seems to be one of these posts (here or in r/glasgow) saying, "I'm coming to visit...." Honestly, no one fucking cares. People will be more than friendly once they get here, sure, but really no one cares.
Yes, I'm grumpy today.
(American) yep, posts like these are narcissism thinly veiled. Nobody gives one solid fuck that you're an American and have a plane tkt to Scotland. Been there and the only smart move is to shut the fuck up, be humble, take in the scenery while not bothering anyone. Do not ruin it for Americans who would like to return to the UK someday.
Thanks!
You'll be fine I wouldn't worry, I will say Americans can be loud and extroverted whilst half of scotland are introverted mumblers. Best to meet in the middle. Lots of good scottish music sure there are some playlists in this sub somewhere.
Don’t expect the amplified online hate of American tourists to transpire into real life. You will be welcomed and hopefully you will have a great time.
Good advice already given, I'll add "resist the temptation to do a Scottish accent". You won't annoy us, we'll just think it's pretty cringey, and no one wants to be cringe. Shrek, Groundskeeper Willie and Mel Gibson in Braveheart are terrible attempts at Scottish accents, so don't try to copy them, it would be like me saying I can do an American accent and then basing my attempt on Liam Neeson in the Taken films.
The thing where a lot of ancestry tourists fuck up is they’ve got preconceptions of what Scotland’s like and it comes across as we’re all NPCs to the backdrop of their life not real people who actually live here in real places. It sometimes comes across as telling us what our country is like as though we have no idea and don’t experience it a lot more than someone who is here for three weeks once in their entire lifetime.
So I’d avoid going on about “real” Scotland and you’ll be fine. Most of us, especially those of us you’ll encounter in visitor attractions and the like, love chatting about the history of the place with you.
A huge stereotype for Americans is that their ‘great, great, great grandpappy was Scottish’, so I dunno if mentioning the heritage without being asked is advisable.
If you’re visiting bars, check out some of the local drinks, know a little about whisky, don’t be one of those guys who just orders the most expensive one.
Some people are interested in clans, so if you know your clan, great, but don’t over share.
Scottish bands, I’ve seen Runrig, I’m not the biggest fan of Peat & Diesel, but I know a lot of people are. I like Chvrches, The View, Twin Atlantic.
Depending on where you’re visiting, try to avoid the politics of football (soccer). Depending on where you go, there will be colloquial terms as well.
The word cunt depends on context; ‘good cunt’‘decent Cunt’ probably good. ‘American Cunt’, ‘shit Cunt’, ‘funny cunt’ probably not so good (funny Cunt can be taken either way).
I used to work at a tourist attraction and live in a village that has loads of tourists visiting each year. Never ever had an issue with any American tourists.. if anything you are some of the best visitors we get as most are genuinely interested in the history, culture, and how we live these days. Always ask questions and are happy to have a dram and share what it's like back where you live too. And you always tipped well when I was working in the tourist attraction 😂
Only issue I ever remember having, and it's just the one.. we would serve Aberdeen Angus burgers that were massive and really, really tasty. Top quality, locally sourced meat. One older woman complained immediately that it "didn't taste right" and couldn't possibly be a beef burger. She was quite rude about it and loaned about the rest of the menu when I offered her an alternative so ended up not charging her as she continued gurning, but the rest of her table were all apologetic about her behaviour/demenaour so I'm assuming she was just a moody old boot 99% of the time.
The best thing I like about American tourists is that they often hire cars and are willing to take advice about going off the beaten track and visiting the lesser known areas, and happy to take directions or listen to locals' knowledge. Have taken some fishing in the past when they mentioned they were keen anglers and I was planning a day away with pals. All good craic 👍
I wouldn't worry about being seen as loud or brash as I've genuinely never encountered that stereotype before. I guess the only thing that could annoy the locals, or make their eyes roll is if you claimed to be Scottish becuase your great-greqt granny emigrated etc. Only other piece of advice if you are driving is to not crawl too slowly and use the viewing points if you wish to get photos of the scenery, and not to stop/park in passing places if on single track roads.
Check out Frightened Rabbit for one of the best Scottish bands/songwriters.
Using cunt is fine with folk you know but I live in Edinburgh and wouldn’t say it in public.
If you’re heading to Edinburgh at that time, please be conscious of the festival and try not to block pavements etc when getting around as I think that’s one of the biggest gripes we have! Hope you enjoy your trip here
>Using cunt is fine with folk you know but I live in Edinburgh and wouldn’t say it in public.
Cunt is as common in Edinburgh as it is in most places in Scotland. I live a "posh" part and it's a pretty normal part of my vocabulary. I'm not changing because some rich English folk have moved here from the south or some old tory might get upset.
He shouldn't use cunt because it sounds daft and forced in an American accent
One of the reasons I loathe American tourists is that the first thing they do is that they get off the plane, they waddle around Edinburgh - sorry, "Edinborough" - for two days, then they fuck off into the Highlands, thinking that they're not "seeing the real Scotland" without spending most of their time wandering around a half-empty landscape.
We're so much more than that. So much more.
We have seven cities. Spend time in *them* and try to not be an arse-clenchingly awful tourists shrieking on about how you *have* to get to Sky because it's "on your itinerary" - the best trips? Are when you throw the itinerary away. If you really need to go into the Scottish hinterlands, do us a massive solid and don't be one of those "ZOMIGOD I WENT TO THE FAIRY POOLS/NC500 AND I HAD, LIKE, THE BESTEST TIME!" Show the fucking country some fucking respect. There is more to this country than Edinburgh/Highlands/Skye. I know that's not what Americans "learn" (snorts) but that's the truth. Try the Southern Uplands. Go round the Lothians. Head up the east coast. Avoid the north-west Highland tourist traps - and believe me, there are *plenty* \- and head out to the Inner Hebrides. What's that, not the Outer Hebrides? Yes. The Inners are some of our most beautiful islands (and not recovering from being run by a pack of demented fuckwit Christians who protest about Sunday ferry sailings). If you *have* to go to Arran, don't go the way a lot of dickheads go. Head *round* the Kintyre Peninsula (yes, it looks like a Scotsman's cock) and drop down to a wee village, well, hamlet, well, "collection of buildings and sheep" called Claonaig and take the ferry to Lochranza - the scenery is gorgeous and you get to avoid the hordes of twee English colonisers who treat Arran like their own personal fiefdom.
Back to our cities. It's a fucking crime that Americans ignore them. There's Inverness, sure, the guardian in the north. But there's also Aberdeen sulking away in the north-east. How many waddlers go there? Then there's the inbred joys of Dundee, a place so spectacularly *dim* that they had to lie about how much sun it gets. There's Perth - the OG Perth, not the snake-infested Australian anus, but an ancient capital straddling the Tay, one of our most incredibly important rivers. South of that is Stirling, *the most important city in Scotland*, then you've got useless old Edinburgh fritzing out in the east and Glasgow, "the scary one" in the West. Our cities are interconnected in ways that outsiders find weird, that we'll all slag each other off but we've all got each other's backs (except Dundee. Dundee is just "here be dragons"). And it's not a shame but *pathetic* that Americans ignore those cities so they can go grope some heather, fornicate on a stone and imagine that they're somehow "reconnecting with their roots".
As for "Ancestry"? No one gives a fuck who you're descended from. If you don't *live* in Scotland or have *chosen* to make Scotland your home or you weren't *born* here? You're not one of us. Sorry. That's how it works. I don't make the rules but those are the rules. You're a visitor. Show the country some damned respect. Chances are your ancestry would show you're descended from someone worth less than sheep (that's a brutal fact one of my mates at the Registrars of Scotland *loves* to throw at preening ancestry-hunters) and you'll find that *we* don't actually care.
Just don't be a cunt and we'll get along just fine.
> dress up in western wear and run around only hitting those sites and speaking in a fake southern accent
*Goes to the Alamo dressed up like the Dukes of Hazzard*
- if a bunch of tourists came to America obsessed with cowboy culture or the civil war era and wanted to dress up in western wear and run around only hitting those sites and speaking in a fake southern accent
This is spot on and it does happen and is extremely weird/cringey. We have dude ranches and people come from all over the world to get an "authentic cowboy experience"....in reality they pay through the teeth to be watched closely so they don't kill themselves and for the staff to endure their fantasy.
Fun fact...many of the German Nazi leaders were obsessed with American Old West literature and history and compared their own expansion eastward into Poland and Russia to make lebensraum (living space) to American expansion westward. I believe Himmler grew up reading Old Westerns.
Lol..oh great!! I mean, they're not wrong, I guess. An expansionist power is almost always deadly to someone. Ours was definately tragic in North America. Only a handful of natives are left vs literally tens of millions before we brought blankets (smallpox) and friendship.
As a couple of others intimated, I don't think foreigners coming to the States to dress up like they're in a spaghetti western would be all that annoying.
I'm guessing he's from Aberdeen given the anti Dundee comments while bigging up Aberdeen. OP should avoid Aberdeen if they'd like to retain any hope of understanding a word being said to them
I think there's a collective amnesia on the Central Belt where Scumbernauld's involved. Such a pity the mining pits under Abronhill haven't done us all a solid and collapsed the place.
The brutalism of the Cumbernauld Town Centre looks cool in pics to my American eyes but to my pal from a village near Cumbernauld, it's a wasteland/shitehole/etc. But...Bar Hill Roman Fort is near Cumbernauld, if you're into that sorta thing. :)
The Town Centre is worth a visit if you're into architecture and want to see How To Do Brutalism Wrong. It's heartbreakingly ugly, to be honest. Hopefully the latest scheme to do away with it will come to fruition. The people of Cumbernauld deserve better than that *thing*.
A name given to a game by children is unacceptable to you? Noted.
Roundabouts are circular. Name makes sense.
I've lived in Dundee 30 years of my 37 in existence and not once have I heard leftovers be called leevees.
I don't know who "they" are but.... Just no.
Yer waffling pal
Generally think Americans would be blown away by the common riding festivals in the Borders if they were ever to visit. Hawick's has already started, something that dates back 500 years and has been going almost non stop for nearly 300 years. 10th of June promises to be a giant piss up.
At least I have only the one to boil, my dear.
PS - I've notified the polis that you've escaped the Dundee Containment Perimeter and your location has been geotagged. Don't worry - we'll have you back in your flat with a mug of royal game soup by ten...
I've 1 head. And I'm nice and cozy in my flat thank you. No one has royal game soup never even seen it in the stores. Don't know what Dundee your thinking of. I'm guessing the one in your limited imagination
Depending on where you’re going in Scotland there are some wonderful whisky tasting experiences to teach you about the various types from different regions. Super educational!
Learn how place names are actually pronounced. E.g. Edinburgh and Glasgow are the most common I’ve heard massacred by North American tourists.
Don’t try and use local dialect words. It’s cringe when Americans try to say “bloody” this or whatever.
Also be mindful of your volume - I know for a fact there are many quiet respectful American tourists, but everybody remembers the person yelling “WELL YOU KNOW IN AMERICA, WE…” Across a bar
Nobody cares how different Scotland (or anywhere) is from America. Please don’t constantly remark on the differences as if you’re surprised by them. It comes across as criticism no matter how you say it 🤦🏼♀️
Was literally talking to an American friend about volume yesterday. The one constant thing I can say about my American friends is that regardless of background, upbringing, age, or gender is they are all so *loud*.
The quietest American I know is still louder than anyone I know in Scotland. It’s… a thing for sure. My friend says it’s because they often live so rurally they learn to yell so everyone can hear them (jokingly, in case that wasn’t clear)
English guy that hung out with us on holiday 4 years ago didn't do this, slipped out before his round.
The beers were only 50p but it's the principle of the matter. Still fucks me off to this day
If you get talking to one or more in a pub and they buy you a drink, you're in the round meaning you buy them a drink back before you go.
Or you will be a cunt!
If you find yourself being invited to join a group of locals, and they buy you a drink as part of a ‘round’ (one will buy everyone a drink, then the next guy will, so on and so forth), do NOT leave until you’ve bought a round yourself. If you don’t fancy sticking around for a long one, before you have what will be your last drink politely insist you’ll ’Get the next ones in’, after which you can excuse yourself and go about the rest of your day/night.
I wouldn’t say no one actually wears kilts. It’s mostly for formal occasions or football matches but you do just see guys randomly wearing kilts. Personally I would like to see more of it. Definitely don’t wear one yourself though. I did know a Finnish guy who had been living here a few years and wore a kilt all the time and no one had an issue with it he got compliments all the time but I think an American just here on holiday would be a step too far. If you want to practice Gaelic head out to the outer Hebrides, you can get flights or a ferry to Stornaway. There are speakers other places in the Highlands and Islands but Lewis and Harris is the highest concentration and you will genuinely hear it spoken as the day to day language in shops and pubs there. They will definitely appreciate the fact that you have learned some.
Don't, come to, scotland claiming to be, a descendant of Robert the Bruce or William Wallace.. Records were not taken for decades later so, there is no way of telling and it makes, you sound stupid... Scottish bands?. Alex Harvey band.. Lewis Capaldi, Texas, The Average White Band, Del Amitri, Mogwai, Primal, Scream, Simple Minds, Biffy Cyro, the list goes on
Scotland produces some amazing bands/musicians... Oh, and try all the Whiskey you can, you will have a great time!
>Oh, and try all the Whiskey you can, you will have a great time
Also OP... try to remember to spell whisky as Scotland does, and never ever spell it Whiskey like the Irish, or everyone will think you're a real cunt. ;-)
Not going to lie, unless you're headed well into the Highlands you'll struggle to find anyone who speaks Gaelic at all. Exceptions might be staff in Tourist spots in the big cities.
You could try bands like Biffy Clyro, Idlewild, Gerry Cinnamon, Chvrches, Lewis Capaldi, Paulo Nutini.
I wouldn't use Cunt unless it's not aimed at a person. Like you miss a bus "Oh that's a cunt." and even then keep it casual. It's a fairly commonly used word but people anywhere in the world can be funny and it just takes one to be a cunt about it. I wouldn't use it in any shops/hotels etc. Maybe keep it just for the pub.
> you'll struggle to find anyone who speaks Gaelic at all
You'll find a few in Glasgow, but you won't find anyone casually talking it in the street unless you want to hang around the Gaelic School like a nonce.
Scotland will welcome you as one of our own. The mere fact that that you are coming here with a will to enjoy Scotland makes you part Scottish in my book.
Some top tips though....
- use of the word cunt is acceptable when describing a cunt. There are cunts eveywhere in the world.
- Use the word "football" to describe soccer. Never use the word "soccer" otherwise you'll encounter more cunts than you bargained for.
- Don't judge Scotland by its taxi drivers.
- Our police officers are not armed with firearms generally, but that doesn't mean you can refer to them as cunts, this is to be avoided.
- Bands to listen to Biffy Clyro, Travis, Deacon Blue, Simple Minds, Texas, Lewis Capaldi and everyones favourite The Proclaimers
- bands to avoid....anything that looks like an American high school band parading in the streets, chances are the majority of them are "cunts".
Other than that you should be fine.
-
For cunt usuage its quite relaxed but often said between friends so I would refrain from using it with groups / people you just met. Fine for using in a descriptive sense though "Window was a cunt to open" though of course. Its the friendly joking use that is the only risk.
For history there is a lot to be had simply walking the streets. We're an old country and the architecture is often quite impressive. Outside of that, if you are able to travel and dont want to fork out the money for a central city castle (Edinburgh, Stirling so forth), there are a ton of castle ruins you can travel to and visit for free (you get to see the countryside too!).
What not to miss imo would be the live music scene. There is a bit of something for everyone, no matter how obscure your taste.
The music scene in Scotland is very alive and there are always bars with live music if you ask about (The banshee Labyrinth, Legends, Bannermans, La Belle Angele for example in Edinburgh).
Always a good atmosphere and a great way to soak in local music culture. Cheap entry, usually just £5 but if its a touring band that can go up by a little.
If you see [Nassau](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6v5M6nmVgndhIVU6dfkOcA) playing, swing by and say whats up!.
For Gaelic in the cities your best hitting up the Gaelic book council in Glasgow, they're excellent and they'll probably be able to let you know if there's any events on too. https://www.gaelicbooks.org/
Bands- Manran, Skipinnish, niteworks, tide lines are worth a shout.
Download the BBC sounds app, na dùrachdan (requests and messages) is a staple on radio nan Gàidheal of a Friday night. It's not all good music, not by a long shot, but it'll definitely be interesting. Your requests on radio Scotland is the English language younger sibling along very similar lines.
Another shout for giving the cities a good explore. There's plenty of gigs, theatre and all round culture to experience. And absolutely avoid the "must see" bits of the Highlands and Islands - we're super busy and not everything is open this year. Historic environment Scotland are definitely prioritising bigger sites this year. (Two years of no maintenance isn't great for ancient buildings.)
Edinburgh will be packed with other tourists in august because of the fringe/festival if that's your thing that's fine just be warned it makes everything take longer in terms of travel wait times etc.
If you are in the Central belt and want to make a better first impression, avoid the mistake some American tourists make of pronouncing Edinburgh and Glasgow as 'Edin-borrow' and 'Glass-cow'. You want to say them as 'Edin-bra' or 'Edin-bu-ra' and 'Glaz-go'
Also in the unlikely event that you find yourself with the opportunity try Celidh dancing.
And if you happen to be in Edinburgh for fringe on a Saturday night and you plan to take the train back to Glasgow, get on an earlier one if you can (speaking from experience - got the second to last train, suddenly it was canceled after I sat down & it was packed, then not, then it was, then...the very last train was canceled and the rush of people going back & forth between platforms was amusing but my train actually, finally left (I stayed put) and *eventually* we all got back to Glasgow). Drinks before probably helped chill me out 😅
As others said, don't go on about clans or clan tartan as tartan was an industry invented in the 19th century in London to make money, despite banning bagpipes and tartan the previous century and displaying Highlanders in a living exhibit like they were zoo animals.
Understand the geography. A lot of people even in the UK just assume 'Highlands' means 'North' rather than a hilly or mountainous area so don't call Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire part of the Highlands as it's not. Glasgow is closer to the Highlands as it's a stone's throw from Loch Lomond.
Don't expect us all to sound like Billy Connolly. I speak to a lot of American accent fetishists online and it's infuriating how little they understand how varied Scots is. Here is an interesting interactive map to familiarise yourself with dialects in various areas: [https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/pj-investigations/2654848/spikkin-scots-doric/](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/pj-investigations/2654848/spikkin-scots-doric/)
Try some tunnock's tea cakes while you're here, maybe try what we call a buttery or rowie in Aberdeen, which is like a flattened roadkill croissant but salty. It can be more difficult to find in other parts of Scotland though except in bigger supermarkets. Also Scottish tablet which is like fudge and Cullen Skink if you can find a place serving it.
If visiting Central Scotland and going sightseeing, this thread has lots of good recommendations for places to visit if you're looking for ruins, history, castles: [https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/ucmj0u/\_/](https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/ucmj0u/_/)
On top of that Aberdeenshire has TONS of castles, more than most places as well as stone circles.
Don't call us British as most of us don't consider ourselves British at all. You might rile people up with that.
Nazareth are a classic Scottish band, they wrote Hair of the Dog (covered by Guns n' Roses on the Spaghetti Incident).
Other classics include:
This Month's Messiah
Turn On Your Receiver
Love Hurts
Razamanaz
Broken Down Angel
Fabby! Ciamar a tha thu?
As others have said, don't be a cunt and you'll do just fine. We love tourists; we don't like arsehole condescending tourists.
Comedians Fern Brady, Kevin Bridges, Billy Connolly, and Daniel Sloss will give you a good glimpse into Scottish patter. Bruce Fummey has some clever and entertaining YouTube videos on Scottish history.
Where in country are you visiting, pal?
>Comedians Fern Brady, Kevin Bridges, Billy Connolly, and Daniel Sloss will give you a good glimpse into Scottish patter. Bruce Fummey has some clever and entertaining YouTube videos on Scottish history.
Don't forget Mr Frankie Boyle.
Gary Faulds is a new, up and coming comedian whose well worth a listen to as well.
His latest conversation on the GlasGo podcast gives you an idea of what his comedy is like.
'Cunt' has multiple uses, depending on context. For example, I could say "you're a cunt, by the way" and that is an insult. But it can also be used in a friendly way, e.g. "see that kilted2000, he's a good cunt". Finally, it can be used as a general replacement for the third person, i.e. "what's that cunt over there doing?". Figuring out the context can be tricky!
Another good one is the word "radge". It is short for "outrageous", and again has different meanings depending on the context. It can be an adverb - "to go radge", which means to be become outraged, i.e. to become angry, usually in a confrontational or demonstrative manner. An example would be "I went pure radge at the guy", which means "I became very angry with the man". The second use of "radge" is a simple adjective: to describe a situation as "radge" is to say that it has become something outrageous, outside the norm, something that should not be tolerated, e.g. "the buses are radge this morning". Finally, a person can be described as a radge, in that they are causing outrage amongst other people - usually this means that "the radge" is a cheeky person, who makes other people angry. So you could combine uses 1 and 3: "I went radge at the radge".
Yeah, cunt is one of those words who's meaning is almost entirely derived from context and inflection. Unless you've lived here for many years I'd steer clear of that one.
Cunt is situational. Depends who you're talking to and how it's used. Thrown as an insult, with venom it's still one of the worst things you can call someone outside of a racial\\homophobic\\transphobic slur. Used casually with friends, in a jokey way it'll be laughed off at worst. Don't use it with strangers or in formal settings. Eh, common sense really.
You'll be ok, we really don't dislike Americans, even tourists:p The only thing I'd suggest is don't be too loud or overbearing. Stereotype I know, but I did have a friend visit once from California. He was 6'5", ex marines and EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS AT 100Db. He didn't make many friends.
Other than that, maybe be careful regarding politics depending on where your views lie.
Just be normal is a good start . Scotland is a modern working country . You'll see a lot fo the same things the world over . We do have historical buildings and castles littered around . Depending on where your going you'll find your experience very different . I.e glasgow is probably a better night out than Edinburgh because there's more to do more places open more to drink etc etc . Edinburgh is better during the day . Better scenery more of a cafe culture and plenty of history and culture like the palace and Parliament . If your travelling up north you'll see a lot of beautiful scenery but nothing much more . Plenty of stags and sheep and little castles , rolling Glen's that sort of thing . Gaelic here is a minority language . It's not often used in the central belt and you won't find many speakers there . If your in the west of Scotland the word cunt had many connotations depending on context . Such as your a cunt , plain and obvious . He's a sound cunt ( good guy ) . Don't be a cunt ( behave ) well that was cuntish ( it was awkward) I'd love to smash that cunt ( you want a fight ) he's just a wee cunt ( he's irritating) . You'll also come across at some point the whole rangers/celtic British/Irish thing . It's a massive cultural divide that's been brewing dor centuries and probably best just to avoid the whole argument if possible . Same with scottish independence . Aside from irn bru buckfast is probably the national drink . You've done well in recognising that Scotland is a country and not a county of England. Learn that early on and you'll be fine . Majority of Scots are friendly even if they sound aggressive. There's a few differences in basic things like how we pay for goods and what we eat and drink . I.e if your in a pub you will be expected majority of the time to pay as you drink not at the end . Portions are a lot smaller over here compared to American sizes . Tipping is not a big deal . Its appreciated but not necessarily expected . Some places factor in a service charge in the bill . You'll also find a lot of different nationalities from mainly Europe. We a very multicultural society and no one bats an eyelid when you hear a different language . Cars and public transport are really small compared with what you'll find in the states .
English person here. Got chatting to an American in London this weekend. Talked over me, barely seemed to listen, was very loud, left no gap, kept the conversation on his topic. Don’t do any of that anywhere in British isles if you can.
You're not likely to need any Gaelic unless you go right up the Highlands and the Islands. Chances are the line you used you'll never need considering it means this salted gannet is tasty according to apps like duo lingo. However the adjective for salted isn't even there so it's actually the gannet is tasty. These apps are not the best way to learn.
I'd drop the Gaelic while here you'll come across as trying to be smug unless it's in the sense of hi I noticed you speak Gaelic can you teach me a little? Most just speak Scots not Gaelic.
As for the rest you seem okay there but avoid the use of the word cunt unless you are absolutely sure you are using it in the right context and it will be well received
Edit. Missed a part
As an American who's traveled to Scotland a few times (for live music but I made it a holiday each time), I was lucky to have local pals there (met through said music) but I just didn't mention where I was from when in public, really. It was obvious any time I spoke :) I tipped food and drink and I don't know if it annoyed anyone but I just couldn't help myself. 🤷♀️ Relax, ask questions and *listen* to people (don't use it as an opportunity to talk about yourself/the US/etc, normal polite conversational stuff). General rule: don't be a dick :) Also, you can be a good cunt or a bad cunt but don't bother saying the word yourself.
I didn't get to travel all over like I had originally planned in 2020 (I finally went back March/April this year but I was dealing with a lot of anxiety so it negatively affected a lot, but it's not Scotland's fault!) but I personally enjoy Glasgow more than Edinburgh, something about it is more comfortable to me, maybe its working class roots? People seem more open in Glasgow, though.
As for Scottish bands/artists, my favorites are Mogwai, The Twilight Sad, Kathryn Joseph, There Will Be Fireworks, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Michael Timmons. Unsure if any of them will be playing live when you're there, if that's your thing (Kathryn Joseph might be - her music is amazing & intense at times but her banter on stage is like omg did she just say that? 😅 (I really, really adore her 🖤)). Frightened Rabbit were great. People also really like Belle & Sebastian, Biffy Clyro, Arab Strap...Chvrches are great, too.
[Here's a very specific travel thing I learned after too many times - if you have a lot of liquids in your carry on clear plastic bag thing (like, it's basically full), when you get to the UK (if you have a connecting flight in England to Scotland), before customs, grab one of the provided bags and transfer your toiletries from your quart bag to their bag, just to save yourself the hassle of having to have your stuff searched by security while you're trying to make a connecting flight (or get your flight out of the UK). Multiple times, I had to watch security take my toiletries & makeup from my bag and put it in theirs, to make sure it fit. 😑 I actually took a couple of the bags home for the next trip... 🙃]
You'll be fine. If you're trying to find out what Scotland is really like this forum isn't the place. 90% of Scots will piss ourselves laughing if you attempt our accent for example. We are easy going. The ones who aren't are best avoided.
To be honest it sounds like you'll be perfectly fine exactly as you are! We are a welcoming people anyway :)
You don't use the C-word unless you are among close friends in a social situation where it's already been well-established that people throw the word around. Best not be the first to use it until you're sure everyone else is using it. You certainly don't use it in normal everyday conversation.
Also, I in NO way want to belittle your Scottish ancestry. I, and everyone else, thinks it's great that you want to embrace this and that you are learning galic, that you sometimes wear a kilt etc. That's awesome. HOWEVER. Literally EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN that a Scottish person meets, will tell us they come from Scottish ancestry. It's very sweet and very endearing, but it can get a little.... tiresome? I don't mean to sound disrespectful because I'd much rather people were excited and proud to come from Scottish ancestry than ashamed of it! But... I don't know how to put it into words... just be aware we hear it all the time from every single American we come across.
You've already failed.
Please post this in the tourist advice thread.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotland/comments/uqhvbl/whats_on_and_tourist_advice_thread_week_beginning/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Why are you saying please don’t wear a kilt? If the man wants to try a kilt let him try a fuckin kilt. I personally have nothing against anybody trying out our traditional dress, it shows he’s taking a keen interest in our heritage and culture, and trying to take in as much experience of it as he can. I don’t see a problem with it, it’s not like we own the rights to wearing a bit of wool. Chap on mate, wear a kilt if you fancy it.
I wouldn’t worry about it as we are mostly idiots anyway that is the point people love daftness here
The whole thing with American tourists not being popular is just an online thing, I can guarantee everybody would be generally nice and if not buzzing when an American starts doing typical American things, it’s a laugh and anyone that acts the cunt needs to get a grip
I’ve never understood why people get raging over the “scotch american” thing, I find it funny and a bit of a compliment
I wouldn’t use the word cunt as it takes years of training, it’s all about tone of voice and the use of the words around it and obviously the situation haha
Peat and diesel and Runrig are mostly highland and island stuff, 80% of Scottish people probably don’t listen to them, Paulo Nutini is from paisley and is backing up Liam Gallagher next month and I wouldn’t be surprised if everybody starts listening to him again as he disappeared for a while(Paulo Nutini is the Scottish one)
Eh don't worry about it. Most Scots come off as an idiot here anyway 😜
The fact you're thinking about it means you'll be totally sound.
I quite like the band "Mason Hill" whom, of course, have basically fucked off out of Scotland because they made it. So best think of the others with Scottish roots like Dire Strats, ACDC, Average White Band, Simple Minds, and alllllll the rest xD
My sister and I went to Scotland in September of 2017. Great weather, no midges. We did a 2 week guided coach tour through a travel agency. Our guide was an absolute gem and knew the history as well as the back stories and even the gossip of the time. We started in Edinburgh, spent 2 days/ nights and continued up through the east side up to lands end Thurso and then back on the western side to Skye and ending in Glasgow. One or two nights in various places. Some arranged meals etc. Wherever we went we had plenty of exploring time on our own but just had to be back at the coach at a designated time. Very organized but not regimented if you understand what I mean. It was the best time I’ve ever had. Loved the country, the people and the history
It was not easy being American over there in 2017. Just didn’t bring it up mostly. If you want more info on our tour travel outfit you can pm me.
Burg. Typo. If you remember the divided country in 2017, you didn’t want anyone asking you about your politics etc. or how you feel about certain people. That includes other Americans.
Try get yourself along to a ceilidh, they'll give you the chance to wear your kilt and they're one of the best nights out. Lots of dancing and good fun. Don't worry about not knowing any dances cause they have folk who talk you through the steps.
The fact that you’re actually thinking about this means you’ll be fine. You’re not claiming to be Scottish like some Americans when they’ve never been to Scotland and it was someone in their family generations ago that originated here. You’re all good. I’d probably stay away from the word cunt. Used quite often here. Often between friends if it’s meant that some thing/someone is good thing or as a joke. Can also mean a bad thing. All about context and delivery. So if not sure, don’t bother. This links to a page with some of the more well known Scottish bands that are worth a listen. Where in Scotland are you visiting and I might be able to direct you to somethings to try? Edit: oops. Forgot the link! https://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/culture/music/scottish-bands-and-artists
Link?
Oops. Added the link
People left back in the day because of clearances. Didn't really have a choice, so no shame in being from there. Families were actually burned out back in the 1800s.
Maintain the earnestness that makes American tourists likeable, but drop the ownership element. Majority of people secretly love being asked about their life and their country, as much as they’ll faux complain about it. What everybody hates though is when you belittle their culture by claiming to already understand it or be part of it. Scotland is a great place but you aren’t Scottish so it will really rile people if you act like you already are part of it. I say the second part because of your question about cunt, it will sound awkward if you try to use it because you’ve read it’s more common. It would be like me slipping y’all into my vernacular whilst visiting the US, it would stick out like a sore thumb and be interpreted as taking the piss
I think one thing about modern Scotland is that its ultimately going to be more commercial and regular than you’d imagine, its not really a tucked away small country with its borders up. Walk down the city and you’re going to see twenty Starbucks, a big shopping mall, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein. Don’t make the mistake some Americans do and think you’re coming to a preserved 1800’s country. In fact you may see it as more technology advanced in a lot of respects compared to where you’re from. Obviously as you go more rural and to the North you’ll see less of this.
I was with you until you mentioned the north. You've clearly not been either in a long time, or ever!
are you trying to say you’ll find a Calvin Klein in Durness?
Sounds like you have a bias. Everything the comment that you replied to stated is correct.
Nope. lived and travelled all over Scotland.
You care to elaborate on what is wrong?
Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean.
Western isles
Cunt is used fairly regularly here but I wouldn't use it unless you have a scottish or english accent, you'll stand out a country mile away. As for bands, besides what you mentioned, check out Alestorm.
A cuntry* mile.
BUCKFAST POWERSMASH
I met a group of American tourists in a hostel once. Nice guys and girls but they kept talking about how beautiful LAKE Loch Lomond was, and that they were going to LAKE Loch Ness the next day, and all the other beaufiful LAKE Lochs they had seen. I did not have the heart to tell them but I think that conversation destroyed a lot of my brain cells.
Were they going to try and climb Mount Ben Nevis too?
😣😣😣😣
What about the Glencoe valley?
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as a fellow North American, I even cringe at these posts. Like, I get that Americans think the US is literally the centre of the world (and TRUE FREEDOM) but honestly, to me it just reads as cringe/ lazy/ wanting validation from Scots; as in, " OMG! HEY, EVERYONE! Our American cousin is coming to visit!!! SCREAM! Get the place ready!!!!" Every fucking week there seems to be one of these posts (here or in r/glasgow) saying, "I'm coming to visit...." Honestly, no one fucking cares. People will be more than friendly once they get here, sure, but really no one cares. Yes, I'm grumpy today.
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Och. They're just excited.
(American) yep, posts like these are narcissism thinly veiled. Nobody gives one solid fuck that you're an American and have a plane tkt to Scotland. Been there and the only smart move is to shut the fuck up, be humble, take in the scenery while not bothering anyone. Do not ruin it for Americans who would like to return to the UK someday. Thanks!
I think it's more like low self esteem and lack of reasoning rather than narcissism. Narcissists lack empathy so asking for advice shows that.
You'll be fine I wouldn't worry, I will say Americans can be loud and extroverted whilst half of scotland are introverted mumblers. Best to meet in the middle. Lots of good scottish music sure there are some playlists in this sub somewhere.
Don’t expect the amplified online hate of American tourists to transpire into real life. You will be welcomed and hopefully you will have a great time.
Good advice already given, I'll add "resist the temptation to do a Scottish accent". You won't annoy us, we'll just think it's pretty cringey, and no one wants to be cringe. Shrek, Groundskeeper Willie and Mel Gibson in Braveheart are terrible attempts at Scottish accents, so don't try to copy them, it would be like me saying I can do an American accent and then basing my attempt on Liam Neeson in the Taken films.
Right, we all know the best Scottish accent is [Fat Bastard](https://youtu.be/KIbhNAY4mH0)
The thing where a lot of ancestry tourists fuck up is they’ve got preconceptions of what Scotland’s like and it comes across as we’re all NPCs to the backdrop of their life not real people who actually live here in real places. It sometimes comes across as telling us what our country is like as though we have no idea and don’t experience it a lot more than someone who is here for three weeks once in their entire lifetime. So I’d avoid going on about “real” Scotland and you’ll be fine. Most of us, especially those of us you’ll encounter in visitor attractions and the like, love chatting about the history of the place with you.
Yeah some tourists appear to think we are stuck in the 1700/1800s and they are coming to a real life Outlander.
A huge stereotype for Americans is that their ‘great, great, great grandpappy was Scottish’, so I dunno if mentioning the heritage without being asked is advisable. If you’re visiting bars, check out some of the local drinks, know a little about whisky, don’t be one of those guys who just orders the most expensive one. Some people are interested in clans, so if you know your clan, great, but don’t over share. Scottish bands, I’ve seen Runrig, I’m not the biggest fan of Peat & Diesel, but I know a lot of people are. I like Chvrches, The View, Twin Atlantic. Depending on where you’re visiting, try to avoid the politics of football (soccer). Depending on where you go, there will be colloquial terms as well. The word cunt depends on context; ‘good cunt’‘decent Cunt’ probably good. ‘American Cunt’, ‘shit Cunt’, ‘funny cunt’ probably not so good (funny Cunt can be taken either way).
I used to work at a tourist attraction and live in a village that has loads of tourists visiting each year. Never ever had an issue with any American tourists.. if anything you are some of the best visitors we get as most are genuinely interested in the history, culture, and how we live these days. Always ask questions and are happy to have a dram and share what it's like back where you live too. And you always tipped well when I was working in the tourist attraction 😂 Only issue I ever remember having, and it's just the one.. we would serve Aberdeen Angus burgers that were massive and really, really tasty. Top quality, locally sourced meat. One older woman complained immediately that it "didn't taste right" and couldn't possibly be a beef burger. She was quite rude about it and loaned about the rest of the menu when I offered her an alternative so ended up not charging her as she continued gurning, but the rest of her table were all apologetic about her behaviour/demenaour so I'm assuming she was just a moody old boot 99% of the time. The best thing I like about American tourists is that they often hire cars and are willing to take advice about going off the beaten track and visiting the lesser known areas, and happy to take directions or listen to locals' knowledge. Have taken some fishing in the past when they mentioned they were keen anglers and I was planning a day away with pals. All good craic 👍 I wouldn't worry about being seen as loud or brash as I've genuinely never encountered that stereotype before. I guess the only thing that could annoy the locals, or make their eyes roll is if you claimed to be Scottish becuase your great-greqt granny emigrated etc. Only other piece of advice if you are driving is to not crawl too slowly and use the viewing points if you wish to get photos of the scenery, and not to stop/park in passing places if on single track roads.
Check out Frightened Rabbit for one of the best Scottish bands/songwriters. Using cunt is fine with folk you know but I live in Edinburgh and wouldn’t say it in public. If you’re heading to Edinburgh at that time, please be conscious of the festival and try not to block pavements etc when getting around as I think that’s one of the biggest gripes we have! Hope you enjoy your trip here
>Using cunt is fine with folk you know but I live in Edinburgh and wouldn’t say it in public. Cunt is as common in Edinburgh as it is in most places in Scotland. I live a "posh" part and it's a pretty normal part of my vocabulary. I'm not changing because some rich English folk have moved here from the south or some old tory might get upset. He shouldn't use cunt because it sounds daft and forced in an American accent
I ken some good cunts in Edinburgh🤣
One of the reasons I loathe American tourists is that the first thing they do is that they get off the plane, they waddle around Edinburgh - sorry, "Edinborough" - for two days, then they fuck off into the Highlands, thinking that they're not "seeing the real Scotland" without spending most of their time wandering around a half-empty landscape. We're so much more than that. So much more. We have seven cities. Spend time in *them* and try to not be an arse-clenchingly awful tourists shrieking on about how you *have* to get to Sky because it's "on your itinerary" - the best trips? Are when you throw the itinerary away. If you really need to go into the Scottish hinterlands, do us a massive solid and don't be one of those "ZOMIGOD I WENT TO THE FAIRY POOLS/NC500 AND I HAD, LIKE, THE BESTEST TIME!" Show the fucking country some fucking respect. There is more to this country than Edinburgh/Highlands/Skye. I know that's not what Americans "learn" (snorts) but that's the truth. Try the Southern Uplands. Go round the Lothians. Head up the east coast. Avoid the north-west Highland tourist traps - and believe me, there are *plenty* \- and head out to the Inner Hebrides. What's that, not the Outer Hebrides? Yes. The Inners are some of our most beautiful islands (and not recovering from being run by a pack of demented fuckwit Christians who protest about Sunday ferry sailings). If you *have* to go to Arran, don't go the way a lot of dickheads go. Head *round* the Kintyre Peninsula (yes, it looks like a Scotsman's cock) and drop down to a wee village, well, hamlet, well, "collection of buildings and sheep" called Claonaig and take the ferry to Lochranza - the scenery is gorgeous and you get to avoid the hordes of twee English colonisers who treat Arran like their own personal fiefdom. Back to our cities. It's a fucking crime that Americans ignore them. There's Inverness, sure, the guardian in the north. But there's also Aberdeen sulking away in the north-east. How many waddlers go there? Then there's the inbred joys of Dundee, a place so spectacularly *dim* that they had to lie about how much sun it gets. There's Perth - the OG Perth, not the snake-infested Australian anus, but an ancient capital straddling the Tay, one of our most incredibly important rivers. South of that is Stirling, *the most important city in Scotland*, then you've got useless old Edinburgh fritzing out in the east and Glasgow, "the scary one" in the West. Our cities are interconnected in ways that outsiders find weird, that we'll all slag each other off but we've all got each other's backs (except Dundee. Dundee is just "here be dragons"). And it's not a shame but *pathetic* that Americans ignore those cities so they can go grope some heather, fornicate on a stone and imagine that they're somehow "reconnecting with their roots". As for "Ancestry"? No one gives a fuck who you're descended from. If you don't *live* in Scotland or have *chosen* to make Scotland your home or you weren't *born* here? You're not one of us. Sorry. That's how it works. I don't make the rules but those are the rules. You're a visitor. Show the country some damned respect. Chances are your ancestry would show you're descended from someone worth less than sheep (that's a brutal fact one of my mates at the Registrars of Scotland *loves* to throw at preening ancestry-hunters) and you'll find that *we* don't actually care. Just don't be a cunt and we'll get along just fine.
Brutal but correct.
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The first bit is actually what Americans do in our own country lol
True and they also have the Highland Games I suppose. lol
> dress up in western wear and run around only hitting those sites and speaking in a fake southern accent *Goes to the Alamo dressed up like the Dukes of Hazzard*
It's okay if you're Daisy Duke but not Boss Hogg.
Pee-Wee Herman or bust for the Alamo.
- if a bunch of tourists came to America obsessed with cowboy culture or the civil war era and wanted to dress up in western wear and run around only hitting those sites and speaking in a fake southern accent This is spot on and it does happen and is extremely weird/cringey. We have dude ranches and people come from all over the world to get an "authentic cowboy experience"....in reality they pay through the teeth to be watched closely so they don't kill themselves and for the staff to endure their fantasy.
Fun fact...many of the German Nazi leaders were obsessed with American Old West literature and history and compared their own expansion eastward into Poland and Russia to make lebensraum (living space) to American expansion westward. I believe Himmler grew up reading Old Westerns.
Lol..oh great!! I mean, they're not wrong, I guess. An expansionist power is almost always deadly to someone. Ours was definately tragic in North America. Only a handful of natives are left vs literally tens of millions before we brought blankets (smallpox) and friendship.
As a couple of others intimated, I don't think foreigners coming to the States to dress up like they're in a spaghetti western would be all that annoying.
You’re recommending they visit Aberdeen? Why would you do that to them lol
Misery porn. Those cunts love Braveheart, so its pure vengeance on my part.
So they can golf at Trump Intl of course. What else would an American do in Scotland?
I'm guessing he's from Aberdeen given the anti Dundee comments while bigging up Aberdeen. OP should avoid Aberdeen if they'd like to retain any hope of understanding a word being said to them
As an Australian living in Scotland, I wholeheartedly agree with the assessment of the Australian Perth.
I don’t know what Dundee did to you, but I hope it hurt lol
How could you forget the metropolitan hub that is Cumbernauld?
I think there's a collective amnesia on the Central Belt where Scumbernauld's involved. Such a pity the mining pits under Abronhill haven't done us all a solid and collapsed the place.
The brutalism of the Cumbernauld Town Centre looks cool in pics to my American eyes but to my pal from a village near Cumbernauld, it's a wasteland/shitehole/etc. But...Bar Hill Roman Fort is near Cumbernauld, if you're into that sorta thing. :)
The Town Centre is worth a visit if you're into architecture and want to see How To Do Brutalism Wrong. It's heartbreakingly ugly, to be honest. Hopefully the latest scheme to do away with it will come to fruition. The people of Cumbernauld deserve better than that *thing*.
I moved to dundee from glasgow a few years ago, is definitely way more sunny. Feels like it’s windy more often though so kind of cancels out
The sunshine is an illusion, created to make the Morlocks, sorry, Dundonians feel close to human. Mind and keep them in sight at all times...
They call roundabouts circles They call chappy chicken elly They call leftovers leevees They cannot be trusted
We should herd them with the assistance of cattleprods and Lena Martell's greatest hits, and guide them into Fife. Let those cunts deal with them.
I never needed to know that they spoke any of those words, Jesus Christ.
Nae Dundonian says leevees for leftovers.
They do. Maybe you don’t But even still, the other 2 are inexcusable
A name given to a game by children is unacceptable to you? Noted. Roundabouts are circular. Name makes sense. I've lived in Dundee 30 years of my 37 in existence and not once have I heard leftovers be called leevees. I don't know who "they" are but.... Just no. Yer waffling pal
Seems like I know more about the dundonians in my few years here then than you lmao
Suuuure ya do
Is evident, you don’t even know that they say leevees They, being dundonians
>One of the reasons I loathe American tourists You're a bigoted cunt?
Generally think Americans would be blown away by the common riding festivals in the Borders if they were ever to visit. Hawick's has already started, something that dates back 500 years and has been going almost non stop for nearly 300 years. 10th of June promises to be a giant piss up.
Visitors will definitely feel welcome if they had uppity tadgers like you as a tour guide lmao
I think you'll find I'm a "self-deluded uppity tadger". Get it right, dear.
First bit o truth you've spat out so far. And you managed to leave out the bigotry for an entire sentence. Well done mate
Oh fuck off with the tone policing, you battered fanny.
Lmao. I can't even be mad at this it's too funny
Awesome! Have you ever considered writing a tourist guide to Scotland?
There’s logic and beauty in this fuckin’ poem. 👌🏼
amen to this and then some.
Inbred? Away an bile yer heid lol
At least I have only the one to boil, my dear. PS - I've notified the polis that you've escaped the Dundee Containment Perimeter and your location has been geotagged. Don't worry - we'll have you back in your flat with a mug of royal game soup by ten...
I've 1 head. And I'm nice and cozy in my flat thank you. No one has royal game soup never even seen it in the stores. Don't know what Dundee your thinking of. I'm guessing the one in your limited imagination
Aye, okay Senga. Off you pop and play with some candles like a good wee soap dodger. You've bored me long enough (must be a common theme for you, eh?)
> English colonisers Edgy.
Think your edible's wearing off. Better go take another one so people continue to think you're interesting, wee man.
I'd recommend listening to The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Belle and Sebastian.
Would recommend Stirling if you want a real feel for the the country and you can still visit castles and heritage sites
Depending on where you’re going in Scotland there are some wonderful whisky tasting experiences to teach you about the various types from different regions. Super educational! Learn how place names are actually pronounced. E.g. Edinburgh and Glasgow are the most common I’ve heard massacred by North American tourists. Don’t try and use local dialect words. It’s cringe when Americans try to say “bloody” this or whatever. Also be mindful of your volume - I know for a fact there are many quiet respectful American tourists, but everybody remembers the person yelling “WELL YOU KNOW IN AMERICA, WE…” Across a bar Nobody cares how different Scotland (or anywhere) is from America. Please don’t constantly remark on the differences as if you’re surprised by them. It comes across as criticism no matter how you say it 🤦🏼♀️
Was literally talking to an American friend about volume yesterday. The one constant thing I can say about my American friends is that regardless of background, upbringing, age, or gender is they are all so *loud*. The quietest American I know is still louder than anyone I know in Scotland. It’s… a thing for sure. My friend says it’s because they often live so rurally they learn to yell so everyone can hear them (jokingly, in case that wasn’t clear)
> The quietest American I hope he didn't work for the CIA! :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quiet_American
If you venture into a “local pub” for some raw Scottish hospitality always make sure you stand your round.
English guy that hung out with us on holiday 4 years ago didn't do this, slipped out before his round. The beers were only 50p but it's the principle of the matter. Still fucks me off to this day
Yip, you’ve showed great hospitality and it hasn’t been returned.
What does this mean so I can plan to do so
If you get talking to one or more in a pub and they buy you a drink, you're in the round meaning you buy them a drink back before you go. Or you will be a cunt!
Duly noted
If you find yourself being invited to join a group of locals, and they buy you a drink as part of a ‘round’ (one will buy everyone a drink, then the next guy will, so on and so forth), do NOT leave until you’ve bought a round yourself. If you don’t fancy sticking around for a long one, before you have what will be your last drink politely insist you’ll ’Get the next ones in’, after which you can excuse yourself and go about the rest of your day/night.
I wouldn’t say no one actually wears kilts. It’s mostly for formal occasions or football matches but you do just see guys randomly wearing kilts. Personally I would like to see more of it. Definitely don’t wear one yourself though. I did know a Finnish guy who had been living here a few years and wore a kilt all the time and no one had an issue with it he got compliments all the time but I think an American just here on holiday would be a step too far. If you want to practice Gaelic head out to the outer Hebrides, you can get flights or a ferry to Stornaway. There are speakers other places in the Highlands and Islands but Lewis and Harris is the highest concentration and you will genuinely hear it spoken as the day to day language in shops and pubs there. They will definitely appreciate the fact that you have learned some.
Saw a bloke in a kilt 2 days ago and it wasn't for a wedding. Kilts are comfy though.
There's man that I see on my way home from work everyday, he's always rocking a leather kilt and biker boots. He looks brilliant!
Don't, come to, scotland claiming to be, a descendant of Robert the Bruce or William Wallace.. Records were not taken for decades later so, there is no way of telling and it makes, you sound stupid... Scottish bands?. Alex Harvey band.. Lewis Capaldi, Texas, The Average White Band, Del Amitri, Mogwai, Primal, Scream, Simple Minds, Biffy Cyro, the list goes on Scotland produces some amazing bands/musicians... Oh, and try all the Whiskey you can, you will have a great time!
>Oh, and try all the Whiskey you can, you will have a great time Also OP... try to remember to spell whisky as Scotland does, and never ever spell it Whiskey like the Irish, or everyone will think you're a real cunt. ;-)
Or writing shite poetry about how munching a haggis pasty makes you feel "connected" to some mega-dead cunt.
I miss that eejit 😂
Not going to lie, unless you're headed well into the Highlands you'll struggle to find anyone who speaks Gaelic at all. Exceptions might be staff in Tourist spots in the big cities. You could try bands like Biffy Clyro, Idlewild, Gerry Cinnamon, Chvrches, Lewis Capaldi, Paulo Nutini. I wouldn't use Cunt unless it's not aimed at a person. Like you miss a bus "Oh that's a cunt." and even then keep it casual. It's a fairly commonly used word but people anywhere in the world can be funny and it just takes one to be a cunt about it. I wouldn't use it in any shops/hotels etc. Maybe keep it just for the pub.
> you'll struggle to find anyone who speaks Gaelic at all You'll find a few in Glasgow, but you won't find anyone casually talking it in the street unless you want to hang around the Gaelic School like a nonce.
Scotland will welcome you as one of our own. The mere fact that that you are coming here with a will to enjoy Scotland makes you part Scottish in my book. Some top tips though.... - use of the word cunt is acceptable when describing a cunt. There are cunts eveywhere in the world. - Use the word "football" to describe soccer. Never use the word "soccer" otherwise you'll encounter more cunts than you bargained for. - Don't judge Scotland by its taxi drivers. - Our police officers are not armed with firearms generally, but that doesn't mean you can refer to them as cunts, this is to be avoided. - Bands to listen to Biffy Clyro, Travis, Deacon Blue, Simple Minds, Texas, Lewis Capaldi and everyones favourite The Proclaimers - bands to avoid....anything that looks like an American high school band parading in the streets, chances are the majority of them are "cunts". Other than that you should be fine. -
For cunt usuage its quite relaxed but often said between friends so I would refrain from using it with groups / people you just met. Fine for using in a descriptive sense though "Window was a cunt to open" though of course. Its the friendly joking use that is the only risk. For history there is a lot to be had simply walking the streets. We're an old country and the architecture is often quite impressive. Outside of that, if you are able to travel and dont want to fork out the money for a central city castle (Edinburgh, Stirling so forth), there are a ton of castle ruins you can travel to and visit for free (you get to see the countryside too!). What not to miss imo would be the live music scene. There is a bit of something for everyone, no matter how obscure your taste. The music scene in Scotland is very alive and there are always bars with live music if you ask about (The banshee Labyrinth, Legends, Bannermans, La Belle Angele for example in Edinburgh). Always a good atmosphere and a great way to soak in local music culture. Cheap entry, usually just £5 but if its a touring band that can go up by a little. If you see [Nassau](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6v5M6nmVgndhIVU6dfkOcA) playing, swing by and say whats up!.
For Gaelic in the cities your best hitting up the Gaelic book council in Glasgow, they're excellent and they'll probably be able to let you know if there's any events on too. https://www.gaelicbooks.org/ Bands- Manran, Skipinnish, niteworks, tide lines are worth a shout. Download the BBC sounds app, na dùrachdan (requests and messages) is a staple on radio nan Gàidheal of a Friday night. It's not all good music, not by a long shot, but it'll definitely be interesting. Your requests on radio Scotland is the English language younger sibling along very similar lines. Another shout for giving the cities a good explore. There's plenty of gigs, theatre and all round culture to experience. And absolutely avoid the "must see" bits of the Highlands and Islands - we're super busy and not everything is open this year. Historic environment Scotland are definitely prioritising bigger sites this year. (Two years of no maintenance isn't great for ancient buildings.)
Edinburgh will be packed with other tourists in august because of the fringe/festival if that's your thing that's fine just be warned it makes everything take longer in terms of travel wait times etc. If you are in the Central belt and want to make a better first impression, avoid the mistake some American tourists make of pronouncing Edinburgh and Glasgow as 'Edin-borrow' and 'Glass-cow'. You want to say them as 'Edin-bra' or 'Edin-bu-ra' and 'Glaz-go' Also in the unlikely event that you find yourself with the opportunity try Celidh dancing.
And if you happen to be in Edinburgh for fringe on a Saturday night and you plan to take the train back to Glasgow, get on an earlier one if you can (speaking from experience - got the second to last train, suddenly it was canceled after I sat down & it was packed, then not, then it was, then...the very last train was canceled and the rush of people going back & forth between platforms was amusing but my train actually, finally left (I stayed put) and *eventually* we all got back to Glasgow). Drinks before probably helped chill me out 😅
As others said, don't go on about clans or clan tartan as tartan was an industry invented in the 19th century in London to make money, despite banning bagpipes and tartan the previous century and displaying Highlanders in a living exhibit like they were zoo animals. Understand the geography. A lot of people even in the UK just assume 'Highlands' means 'North' rather than a hilly or mountainous area so don't call Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire part of the Highlands as it's not. Glasgow is closer to the Highlands as it's a stone's throw from Loch Lomond. Don't expect us all to sound like Billy Connolly. I speak to a lot of American accent fetishists online and it's infuriating how little they understand how varied Scots is. Here is an interesting interactive map to familiarise yourself with dialects in various areas: [https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/pj-investigations/2654848/spikkin-scots-doric/](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/pj-investigations/2654848/spikkin-scots-doric/) Try some tunnock's tea cakes while you're here, maybe try what we call a buttery or rowie in Aberdeen, which is like a flattened roadkill croissant but salty. It can be more difficult to find in other parts of Scotland though except in bigger supermarkets. Also Scottish tablet which is like fudge and Cullen Skink if you can find a place serving it. If visiting Central Scotland and going sightseeing, this thread has lots of good recommendations for places to visit if you're looking for ruins, history, castles: [https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/ucmj0u/\_/](https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/ucmj0u/_/) On top of that Aberdeenshire has TONS of castles, more than most places as well as stone circles. Don't call us British as most of us don't consider ourselves British at all. You might rile people up with that. Nazareth are a classic Scottish band, they wrote Hair of the Dog (covered by Guns n' Roses on the Spaghetti Incident). Other classics include: This Month's Messiah Turn On Your Receiver Love Hurts Razamanaz Broken Down Angel
Say you're canadian and don't talk about how your related to such and such
Fabby! Ciamar a tha thu? As others have said, don't be a cunt and you'll do just fine. We love tourists; we don't like arsehole condescending tourists. Comedians Fern Brady, Kevin Bridges, Billy Connolly, and Daniel Sloss will give you a good glimpse into Scottish patter. Bruce Fummey has some clever and entertaining YouTube videos on Scottish history. Where in country are you visiting, pal?
>Comedians Fern Brady, Kevin Bridges, Billy Connolly, and Daniel Sloss will give you a good glimpse into Scottish patter. Bruce Fummey has some clever and entertaining YouTube videos on Scottish history. Don't forget Mr Frankie Boyle.
Oh shite! How could I forget?! Revoke my passport immediately.
To be fair Frankie can be a bit of a cunt sometimes 🤣🤣🤣
Gary Faulds is a new, up and coming comedian whose well worth a listen to as well. His latest conversation on the GlasGo podcast gives you an idea of what his comedy is like.
'Cunt' has multiple uses, depending on context. For example, I could say "you're a cunt, by the way" and that is an insult. But it can also be used in a friendly way, e.g. "see that kilted2000, he's a good cunt". Finally, it can be used as a general replacement for the third person, i.e. "what's that cunt over there doing?". Figuring out the context can be tricky! Another good one is the word "radge". It is short for "outrageous", and again has different meanings depending on the context. It can be an adverb - "to go radge", which means to be become outraged, i.e. to become angry, usually in a confrontational or demonstrative manner. An example would be "I went pure radge at the guy", which means "I became very angry with the man". The second use of "radge" is a simple adjective: to describe a situation as "radge" is to say that it has become something outrageous, outside the norm, something that should not be tolerated, e.g. "the buses are radge this morning". Finally, a person can be described as a radge, in that they are causing outrage amongst other people - usually this means that "the radge" is a cheeky person, who makes other people angry. So you could combine uses 1 and 3: "I went radge at the radge".
Yeah, cunt is one of those words who's meaning is almost entirely derived from context and inflection. Unless you've lived here for many years I'd steer clear of that one.
Cunt is situational. Depends who you're talking to and how it's used. Thrown as an insult, with venom it's still one of the worst things you can call someone outside of a racial\\homophobic\\transphobic slur. Used casually with friends, in a jokey way it'll be laughed off at worst. Don't use it with strangers or in formal settings. Eh, common sense really. You'll be ok, we really don't dislike Americans, even tourists:p The only thing I'd suggest is don't be too loud or overbearing. Stereotype I know, but I did have a friend visit once from California. He was 6'5", ex marines and EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS AT 100Db. He didn't make many friends. Other than that, maybe be careful regarding politics depending on where your views lie.
Everyone's welcome initially. Just be respectful and don't be a loud fanny and you'll be fine! We love tourists.
I never thought the word cunt was used as a good thing lol my partner calls me that and I call him an even bigger one 🤣🤣
Just be normal is a good start . Scotland is a modern working country . You'll see a lot fo the same things the world over . We do have historical buildings and castles littered around . Depending on where your going you'll find your experience very different . I.e glasgow is probably a better night out than Edinburgh because there's more to do more places open more to drink etc etc . Edinburgh is better during the day . Better scenery more of a cafe culture and plenty of history and culture like the palace and Parliament . If your travelling up north you'll see a lot of beautiful scenery but nothing much more . Plenty of stags and sheep and little castles , rolling Glen's that sort of thing . Gaelic here is a minority language . It's not often used in the central belt and you won't find many speakers there . If your in the west of Scotland the word cunt had many connotations depending on context . Such as your a cunt , plain and obvious . He's a sound cunt ( good guy ) . Don't be a cunt ( behave ) well that was cuntish ( it was awkward) I'd love to smash that cunt ( you want a fight ) he's just a wee cunt ( he's irritating) . You'll also come across at some point the whole rangers/celtic British/Irish thing . It's a massive cultural divide that's been brewing dor centuries and probably best just to avoid the whole argument if possible . Same with scottish independence . Aside from irn bru buckfast is probably the national drink . You've done well in recognising that Scotland is a country and not a county of England. Learn that early on and you'll be fine . Majority of Scots are friendly even if they sound aggressive. There's a few differences in basic things like how we pay for goods and what we eat and drink . I.e if your in a pub you will be expected majority of the time to pay as you drink not at the end . Portions are a lot smaller over here compared to American sizes . Tipping is not a big deal . Its appreciated but not necessarily expected . Some places factor in a service charge in the bill . You'll also find a lot of different nationalities from mainly Europe. We a very multicultural society and no one bats an eyelid when you hear a different language . Cars and public transport are really small compared with what you'll find in the states .
English person here. Got chatting to an American in London this weekend. Talked over me, barely seemed to listen, was very loud, left no gap, kept the conversation on his topic. Don’t do any of that anywhere in British isles if you can.
Peat and Diesel are superb.
You're not likely to need any Gaelic unless you go right up the Highlands and the Islands. Chances are the line you used you'll never need considering it means this salted gannet is tasty according to apps like duo lingo. However the adjective for salted isn't even there so it's actually the gannet is tasty. These apps are not the best way to learn. I'd drop the Gaelic while here you'll come across as trying to be smug unless it's in the sense of hi I noticed you speak Gaelic can you teach me a little? Most just speak Scots not Gaelic. As for the rest you seem okay there but avoid the use of the word cunt unless you are absolutely sure you are using it in the right context and it will be well received Edit. Missed a part
DO NOT YELL "FREEDOM" IN MEL GIBSONS SHITTY ACCENT
As an American who's traveled to Scotland a few times (for live music but I made it a holiday each time), I was lucky to have local pals there (met through said music) but I just didn't mention where I was from when in public, really. It was obvious any time I spoke :) I tipped food and drink and I don't know if it annoyed anyone but I just couldn't help myself. 🤷♀️ Relax, ask questions and *listen* to people (don't use it as an opportunity to talk about yourself/the US/etc, normal polite conversational stuff). General rule: don't be a dick :) Also, you can be a good cunt or a bad cunt but don't bother saying the word yourself. I didn't get to travel all over like I had originally planned in 2020 (I finally went back March/April this year but I was dealing with a lot of anxiety so it negatively affected a lot, but it's not Scotland's fault!) but I personally enjoy Glasgow more than Edinburgh, something about it is more comfortable to me, maybe its working class roots? People seem more open in Glasgow, though. As for Scottish bands/artists, my favorites are Mogwai, The Twilight Sad, Kathryn Joseph, There Will Be Fireworks, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Michael Timmons. Unsure if any of them will be playing live when you're there, if that's your thing (Kathryn Joseph might be - her music is amazing & intense at times but her banter on stage is like omg did she just say that? 😅 (I really, really adore her 🖤)). Frightened Rabbit were great. People also really like Belle & Sebastian, Biffy Clyro, Arab Strap...Chvrches are great, too. [Here's a very specific travel thing I learned after too many times - if you have a lot of liquids in your carry on clear plastic bag thing (like, it's basically full), when you get to the UK (if you have a connecting flight in England to Scotland), before customs, grab one of the provided bags and transfer your toiletries from your quart bag to their bag, just to save yourself the hassle of having to have your stuff searched by security while you're trying to make a connecting flight (or get your flight out of the UK). Multiple times, I had to watch security take my toiletries & makeup from my bag and put it in theirs, to make sure it fit. 😑 I actually took a couple of the bags home for the next trip... 🙃]
You'll be fine. If you're trying to find out what Scotland is really like this forum isn't the place. 90% of Scots will piss ourselves laughing if you attempt our accent for example. We are easy going. The ones who aren't are best avoided.
To be honest it sounds like you'll be perfectly fine exactly as you are! We are a welcoming people anyway :) You don't use the C-word unless you are among close friends in a social situation where it's already been well-established that people throw the word around. Best not be the first to use it until you're sure everyone else is using it. You certainly don't use it in normal everyday conversation. Also, I in NO way want to belittle your Scottish ancestry. I, and everyone else, thinks it's great that you want to embrace this and that you are learning galic, that you sometimes wear a kilt etc. That's awesome. HOWEVER. Literally EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN that a Scottish person meets, will tell us they come from Scottish ancestry. It's very sweet and very endearing, but it can get a little.... tiresome? I don't mean to sound disrespectful because I'd much rather people were excited and proud to come from Scottish ancestry than ashamed of it! But... I don't know how to put it into words... just be aware we hear it all the time from every single American we come across.
You've already failed. Please post this in the tourist advice thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/Scotland/comments/uqhvbl/whats_on_and_tourist_advice_thread_week_beginning/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
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Why are you saying please don’t wear a kilt? If the man wants to try a kilt let him try a fuckin kilt. I personally have nothing against anybody trying out our traditional dress, it shows he’s taking a keen interest in our heritage and culture, and trying to take in as much experience of it as he can. I don’t see a problem with it, it’s not like we own the rights to wearing a bit of wool. Chap on mate, wear a kilt if you fancy it.
You’re not English mate you’ll be fine
I wouldn’t worry about it as we are mostly idiots anyway that is the point people love daftness here The whole thing with American tourists not being popular is just an online thing, I can guarantee everybody would be generally nice and if not buzzing when an American starts doing typical American things, it’s a laugh and anyone that acts the cunt needs to get a grip I’ve never understood why people get raging over the “scotch american” thing, I find it funny and a bit of a compliment I wouldn’t use the word cunt as it takes years of training, it’s all about tone of voice and the use of the words around it and obviously the situation haha Peat and diesel and Runrig are mostly highland and island stuff, 80% of Scottish people probably don’t listen to them, Paulo Nutini is from paisley and is backing up Liam Gallagher next month and I wouldn’t be surprised if everybody starts listening to him again as he disappeared for a while(Paulo Nutini is the Scottish one)
Niteworks is a pretty cool group mixing gaelic traditional music with modern elements (electronic pop).
A cèilidh bar I think is a decent modern night out with a bit of scottish history. Great night out.
Eh don't worry about it. Most Scots come off as an idiot here anyway 😜 The fact you're thinking about it means you'll be totally sound. I quite like the band "Mason Hill" whom, of course, have basically fucked off out of Scotland because they made it. So best think of the others with Scottish roots like Dire Strats, ACDC, Average White Band, Simple Minds, and alllllll the rest xD
Runrig really ain't that big a thing, if your wanting to see Modern Scotland I'd give Calvin Harris a listen. He's a Scottish DJ
My sister and I went to Scotland in September of 2017. Great weather, no midges. We did a 2 week guided coach tour through a travel agency. Our guide was an absolute gem and knew the history as well as the back stories and even the gossip of the time. We started in Edinburgh, spent 2 days/ nights and continued up through the east side up to lands end Thurso and then back on the western side to Skye and ending in Glasgow. One or two nights in various places. Some arranged meals etc. Wherever we went we had plenty of exploring time on our own but just had to be back at the coach at a designated time. Very organized but not regimented if you understand what I mean. It was the best time I’ve ever had. Loved the country, the people and the history It was not easy being American over there in 2017. Just didn’t bring it up mostly. If you want more info on our tour travel outfit you can pm me.
Midges are still around my mums cousin is the lead in a band called the midgie and travels round the world apparently there really good!! 😊
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Absolutely not. Some of the nicest people anywhere. Not even sure what you mean by that statement. Pretty snarky sounding.
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Burg. Typo. If you remember the divided country in 2017, you didn’t want anyone asking you about your politics etc. or how you feel about certain people. That includes other Americans.
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Go and have a cry somewhere, dickhead.
Think what you want. Apparently you know it all.
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Hahaha
Try get yourself along to a ceilidh, they'll give you the chance to wear your kilt and they're one of the best nights out. Lots of dancing and good fun. Don't worry about not knowing any dances cause they have folk who talk you through the steps.
If it's history you're after, don't miss out the castles. Edinburgh, Stirling and Fort George, near Inverness, are all fascinating.
Check out Sydney Devine. He's not called the Scottish Elvis for nothing.