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[Minimum]

Does this mean that as an Englishman I'd have the choice of applying for Scottish citizenship?

What benefits would I get? Any incentives? Tattoo?

[MonaLott]

Benefits? Incentives? Well, for starters, you might find yourself more popular on trips abroad!

[Minimum]

I'm already more popular abroad!! Anything else?

[canUsmellthat]

A strong feeling of self (un) worth/ confidence...

[MonaLott]

If you have to ask, you just don't get it!

[khartoumteddy]

[quote="Minimum"]I'm already more popular abroad!! Anything else?[/quote]

do you mean your more popular at home when your abroad

Teddy

[Minimum]

I'm not sure whether I'm getting any answers as to why a non-Scot would want to apply for Scottish Citizenship if we can stay in the country indefinitely, and therefore automatically receive any perks independence may bring to the country.

There must be something other than a sense of belonging.

[NickB]

.

There must be something other than a sense of belonging.

Well, you could wind Longshanks up by being just as Scottish as he is.

[Pentlandpirate]

Perhaps all Scots should be as Scottish as Longshanks.

Won't do any harm to be a little more broadminded and knowledgeable.

[canUsmellthat]

Oh aye, sooky sooky 10 dollar...

[longshanks]

Nice one SNP fantasy and broken promises department.
No; only being sarcastic. Actually the reply to Nick McAdmin's query makes sense but has a slight flaw as it only goes back one generation for those of Scottish descent abroad at the time of independence. eg Corby is probably more Scottish than Seil but the Scottish settlers there did so two generations ago so the current younger generation could not apply for, what is quaintly called, Scottish identity.
Also I know several true (heart, soul and bloodline) Scots who's parents were born overseas due to the diaspora during the late days of Empire.
As someone so rightly pointed out there are fifty million Scots living overseas. If just 10% wished to seal their Scottishness by applying for citizenship then our population would double overnight as would our responsibilities.
......................
Anyway, this "I am a true Scot, you are not" crap is all pretty pointless.
A true Scottish lineage can, quite obviously, come only from birth and bloodline.
Just because one happens to be living here on a certain date does absolutely not make you a Scot in the same way that just by living in England does not make you an Englishman.
I feel sorry for English people, born and bred, who come here and loudly proclaim that they are Scottish when it is obvious that they are not. Get a grip, be proud of your Englishness, there is a huge amount to be proud of.....its that whole plastic paddy syndrome but somehow seems even more pathetic.
................
Final part of rant; none of this stupid nationality thing matters anyway. We're all human and we all bleed the same colour. Nationalism only ever leads to conflict.

Shankers (blue blood by choice)

[Minimum]

I am happy to say "I'm English" as I am also happy to say that "I'm European". I guess if I acquire Scottish Citizenship then I would be happy to have dual nationality. I was only trying to work out if there would be any benefits to applying to become a Scottish Citizen. No-one has come up with anything yet.

[Pentlandpirate]

Actually due to the high cost of making Scotland 'independent', the higher taxes may encourage Scots to be more English, taking up 'official' residence south of the border with a second home or token 'permanent address' so they can pay English taxes, whilst remaining in Scotland.

Anyhow where is the national conversation to debate independence? It's not happening. When will the SNP decide it is safe to have a referendum? It's not happening.

Nationalism, or is it racism, is divisive. If I can be Scottish because my Scots mother married an Englishman, but I've never been to Scotland, or I'm the son of an Afghan refugee who dropped me out the bottom of her burqa in Paisley or I'm good Yorkshire lad w't wife who retired t'Uist, I don't think it will be worth having Scottish citizenship. What's wrong with being British?

[Seil Blubber]

don't think it will be worth having Scottish citizenship

Reading some of the attitudes expressed here many might agree with you. Apparently being born here isn't good enough to make you a Scot if your bloodline isn't pure. What drivel. Apartheid here we come.

[CHAVTASTIC]

If i was born in China....does that make me chinese?!?

With two Scottish born parents.

(I am not Chinese) and I wasn't born there. But is this a valid point?

[longshanks]

Blimey; a good point from Chavman.
If I lived in Pakistan having been born in England with two English parents does that make me a Pakistani?
(two letter answers on a stamp please)
Simple, transferable analogy to the situation here.

....isn't good enough to make you a Scot if your bloodline isn't pure. What drivel.

Fearful of being too controversial for some PC type wallahs around here I would assert that a pure bloodline is important if we want a vibrant and fit Scottish nation. There are already too many short and ugly people here which could, possibly, be a result of inpurities in some bloodlines.
Manfesto idea: increase the bridge tolls on anyone under 5'6" and use monies raised to provide free ice creams to all residents on days when temps exceed 80 degrees F.

Dr Shanks (very blue blood and six feet tall by choice, not fat nor four-eyed either by choice, in fact pretty damn handsome by popular agreement)

[spiderman]

Although a proud Scot myself, I couldn't disagree more with you, Shankers. Anyone who has lived abroad and, whilst there, has gone to the airport to meet visitors, must realise, as the plane from Glasgow unloads amongst those from other countries, that the Scots generally stand out as wee gallous bachles. They are pure gold inside of course but not that pretty outside (with one or two exceptions). Thus I have the opposite view to Shankers - that we need to improve our genetic makeup by cross-breeding with other "Scots" of different bloodlines. This will make us better-looking as well as more tolerant. I would also oppose your idea about specifically tolling wee folk. This would mean a huge percentage of bloodline Scots would be discriminated against. Much better just to toll everyone except Seil residents (and Austrians if Gustl is collecting).

[Minimum]

Yep, I'm happy to be British - it's what I usually put on forms. That also means I live anywhere in the UK.

If I acquire Scottish Citizenship will that mean I have to have a Scottish Passport or can I keep the British one? I assume if I don't apply I'll keep a British passport. However, will I be allowed to say "I'm British"? Will Britain exist?

[Kathy Bowles]

we are all jock thomson's bairns in the end nae dout

[longshanks]

You're quite right spiderman.
My post was a touch tongue in cheek though.
I agree that there are some pug ugly people around but they're not all Scots; its just that I've got this thing about short, dog-faced, overweight, four-eyed, know-it-all type people. My problem I know but I feel that they cause a visual and aural pollution to this beautiful island.
I like your idea of crossbreeding to improve our bloodline. Can I suggest that we crossbreed with Swedes and English, both of whom seem to produce beautiful people.
.......................................
Passport on Independence?
I fear that the massive tax burden which will be imposed on us to pay for Independence by Edinburgh may push many of us into dual nationalty (where possible) and even non-dom status like Sean McConnery etc.
When we leave the U.K. we will have to, just for starters, build embassies all round the world (unless Malawi lets us use a spare broom cupboard in theirs') and build a navy from scratch.
...........................
Who on earth is Jack Thomson? No relation of mine I think battyboy.

Shankville (crossbreeding with Swedes by choice; in my dreams)