On its surface, asking “Are Americans welcome in Scotland?” is sort of wild. So many Americans can trace their genealogy back here. American often were last names with us, and we have many important cultural links. It would be an unimaginable question mere weeks ago, but due to some political concerns, it is a question I have seen cropping up on Reddit and various travel groups around the web so I thought I’d answer it here.
Yes. Americans are still welcome in Scotland. It’s actually harder to answer if Scots are welcome in America given recent news about there being some sort of social media check to visit.
Why are people asking the question anyway and why do I hate having to answer it?
Let’s explore together and find out!
Scotland and America, two nations with deep and abiding links
So much of America comes from Scotland. So much of Scotland comes back, such as the flag in the photo above which was presented by the American Consul General in Edinburgh in 1970 to mark the 350th anniversary of Greyfriars Kirk and the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.
The capital of New York is not New York City, it is Albany. Alba is the Gaelic name for Scotland. Fun fact, New York State law has some similarities with Scots law.
Some of the most practised forms of Christianity in America have Scottish roots, such as Presbyterianism. We often get US pilgrims to Edinburgh as John Knox is buried here and it’s where the General Assembly happens. International representatives of Presbyterian churches come to Edinburgh to discuss the direction of the church (Kirk in Scots).
US ideals of freedom of religion are heavily tied with the Presbyterian distrust of an established (government run) church.
Culturally, many Scots have gone there and made it big. Just off the top of my head, Shirley Manson of Garbage is from Edinburgh. Ewan McGregor is from Perth. James McAvoy is from Glasgow. Talented Scot’s become part of American culture and Scottish culture simultaneously.
Many Americans have come here and made it home. Personally, I have met and worked with American business owners, tour guides, instagrammers. I have Americans in my family.
These are not the sort of links and connections which vanish overnight. Especially due to politics.
Politics: why Americans are welcome in Scotland regardless
The anxiety of whether or not visitors are allowed to be here is real. I get it. After the Brexit vote I remember some snarky comments from Europeans about it.
It was terrible because not only was I against it but an overwhelming majority of Scots were, too. In Edinburgh, it was even clearer with about 75% for staying in the EU.
Nobody should be held fully accountable for others mistakes
When there is a vote, one side loses. This losing side has to pick itself up, dust itself off, and keep going.
Those who voted against the guy who is making America a laughing stock are good people. Those Americans are welcome in Scotland especially. They’re welcome on free walking tours on a Pay What You Want model, too!
Those who made a mistake are okay if they recognise it.
The only Americans who are not welcome in Scotland are the red cap brigade. Especially those who still believe the man in the White House will be anything but a plague on the world and America.
And especially the Orange Satan himself, who is welcomed only by angry protesters booing.
The source of animosity
Generally, the UK is very welcoming to people from around the world. We get lots of visitors and the number of complaints about the friendliness of the locals are tiny. Scotland goes even one step further and we love everyone.
It comes from growing up surrounded by people constantly complaining about the weather only to then see foreigners brave it anyway. We must have something good if they put up with that, right? Or they are just lovely people who we should treat kindly.
This attitude of treating people kindly and well, at least these days, does filter into our politics. There is mass support for the NHS. Overall people are quite charitable by international standards. And we love to support countries that we see as being bullied.
One such example is Ukraine which was invaded 3 years ago by Russia. Generally the UK and US have disagreed on many issues in the last couple hundred years but had similar Russian policy. Most recently this has been changing due to the weird guy in charge.
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
This has had a similar effect on our politics and I’d invite you to peruse this infographic.
Most particularly, take a look at the graphs on the far-right. The Reform Party, Nigel Farage’s anti-immigrant bunch, were previously quite pro-president but have cross the threshold into unfavourable. This is something about the character of British history. We made a mistake over appeasement in the 1930s and we are not keen on doing that again.
To sum up
So the president of the US is making the world more dangerous and unpredictable. He is wildly unpopular internationally. When you travel, do not speak well of him unless you want heated conversation. This is my advice.
It’s not like he is the only unpopular president the US has ever had. In my younger years, George W Bush was the punchline, yet now he seems like a credible statesman. It’s amazing what good PR and distance can do for someone. Hopefully the damage the current guy does is moderated and fixable. The case for optimism is weaker than normal.
But it’s good to reiterate, that in the year 2025, aye, Americans are welcome in Scotland.
The writer of this piece could fair go for some ribs, and the only nation that comes close to the Americans for good ribs is the Chinese.
It’s part of my current streak of articles, today marks a week. You can find more of them here. And recommendations for Americans looking to visit Edinburgh.
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