Routes into Scottishness?

Abstract

While the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament is an obvious political manifestation of Scottish national identity, a key question remains as to whether devolution will further accentuate the depth and importance of this identity, or alternatively whether its political expression will in fact mean that people feel less need to emphasise their Scottishness. This chapter places in historical context the most recent evidence concerning the salience of national identities in Scotland. The plural ‘identities’ is important here because national identity in Scotland often has a multiple nature, not least because most people can conceive of themselves as Scottish and/or British. Aside from analysing the importance of Scottishness as compared with other national identities, the chapter also examines the extent to which national identities in Scotland are regarded by respondents themselves (and not just social scientists) as important aspects of their everyday lives and sense of self.