Scotland, This Land of Ours.

'This land of ours,' how often have we heard those words? This land of ours, how often, since when? All our lives, since we were very young. We grew up with those words ringing in our ears, but what do the words actually mean, do we and our fellows stand on  high ground and take ownership of all that our eyes can perceive? Do we stand on the mountain top and plant our flag? Do we, in our minds eye take unto ourselves all that is Scotland?
The factors that have influenced our way of thinking are the obvious ones, films, TV, newspapers,books fact or fiction, past and present on all things Scottish.
But, and I emphasize that word, but how many of us who live in the Central Belt have seen  at firsthand the Highlands and Islands, the cities  and towns of the North. Have we been to the Borders? Do we even know the people who live in our neighbouring town or city? These words apply to most of us, and this is true for all the peoples of the world.
This land of ours, as you can see there is a link that joins us all together . We believe that this is our land, ours and only ours.
Being Scottish entails what? Well, first things first,  it helps to be born in Scotland, this is basic but it is not the only criteria. In the  world  we live in, people from many lands,past and present, have come ,and for whatever their reason settled in Scotland, and they and theirs are most welcome. Gradually over the years they may have  started thinking of themselves as part Scottish, more so their children and of course their children, who are born in Scotland will be Scottish.
  There are many people in Scotland like myself who are proud of being Scottish even although my father was English, my maternal grandmother was born in Ulster and arrived on these shores when she was but three years of age.All on my mothers side of the family, my aunt and uncles, considered themselves to be Scottish,just as I do.My father who lived in Scotland for all of fifty years was always a Yorkshireman. and he was immensely proud of that fact.
   What I am trying to say,(and you may think ,not very well) is that we in Scotland are a very diverse peoples, hard working, willing to give a helping hand to those in need, honest, goodlooking, independent in thought and deed, but more to the point believing that this land is indeed our land! and shall be forevermore.