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Scottish Connections

Several years ago before mass internet capability my sister Allanna and I traced our family back to the 1800's in Ireland.

Born here, I'm Scottish but acknowledge my Irish roots. Although our family were Catholics from Sligo, in my lifetime religion/colour has never been an issue.
 
I grew up speaking English and Arabic, as my dad worked in Libya, and presently speak rusty French, Spanish and Japanese. In fact it was an African lodger of ours - Isaac MacSheena - who taught me how to write English neatly.
 
I went to school in Bo'ness and Falkirk in the 1980's with classmates from France, Poland and Scotland. We all got on well but had never heard the phrase 'multi-cultural'. People fear what they don't know so we were lucky in being able to learn with (and from) children from other countries.

I have always hated racism in any form.
 
My Grandparents who brought me up for the most part, and my father Gus always said that 'we're all Jock Tamson's bairns'. My father's attitude was passed on to me. In fact, he got on so well with our local shopkeepers from Pakistan that they closed their large shop on the day of his funeral so they could attend. That impressed me immensely.
 
I think your campaign is going to work, but we must educate our youngsters in multi cultural values. This is not only the duty of teachers, etc but of parents. My son Andy (18) who speaks German, and my daughter Caitlin (14) who speaks French, both agree.
 
After all, if we're really honest, we were all immigrants at some point in our own family history. This is what makes Scotland what it is.