I had a big disconnect between my primary school and secondary school. At primary we had Scottish dancing, Scots poetry and song. We had a headteacher from Skye, who often wore a kilt.
Then at secondary we had no Scottish history, culture or music at all. Only English literature, history and music. Quite a strange disconnect.
Then I attended college down the cobbled royal mile Edinburgh, and I wondered about all the history here – the Canongate Kirkyard, John Knox house, St Giles, Holyrood, the Grassmarket – and the castle. We used to go to the military tattoo there every year.
Going to secondary school Edina, I travelled across the town by bus via Princes Street. On the top deck there were many teenagers in brightly coloured blazers who spoke with posh English accents. I wondered where they were from. In Edina around 25% of children attend private schools.
No it wasn’t and isn’t an integrated melting pot at all. But a stiff social hierarchy. Back in the 60s and 70s though, young people had more options to go to study. Houses were built to offer greater social mixing – but that doesn’t always succeed. When people feel without things in common, many put up defensive barriers.
Visiting Holyrood Palace I picked up a small book on the Stuart kings of Scotland. I was fascinated by the Scots history and stories. I visited the Scottish national galleries, with their many portraits of Scottish royalty. My parents were from Northern Ireland, so I was very confused, as no doubt they were too.
