Scotland - Pride or shame?
Uploaded by x-aimee-kate-x on Apr 22, 2005
Gazing round the streets of Glasgow at around one in the morning, I fill with shame. Police sirens scream in exasperation and drunken fights cloud my eyes. The smell of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke advances towards me, making the food in my stomach churn. This is hardly a sight to be proud of I think, as I begin to realise just how ashamed I am of being Scottish.
Although some people may argue over Scotland’s good points. For example some of the scenery we hold is beautiful and that we have kept many historical buildings in tact over the years, for example the Robert Burns cottage in Ayrshire or a large tourist attraction: Edinburgh Castle. Also, many people are unaware of how traditions, such as the kilt are still worn, even amongst young people. I am one of millions of Highland Dancers from around the world and the majority of my dancing is done wearing the traditional Scottish dress. I feel extremely proud when wearing my kilt to dance as the tartan makes me feel a part of the real heart of Scotland. I feel this has kept tradition alive and is something Scots should be proud of.
However, I still feel little pride in my country. My first argument in the shame of Scotland is the way we are sometimes associated with a high rate of heart disease. This is because of the awful diet of the majority of the Scottish people. Fast food overtakes healthy meals and particularly young Scots eat more food considered ‘junk’ than anywhere else. Obesity is a common problem in Scotland due to this lack of nutritious food and lack of exercise of the Scottish people. Figures show that one in five children in Scotland aged 12 is clinically obese. Does this not show that our country isn’t valuing its food and health? This in itself is a significant reason to be ashamed of being from Scotland.
Alcohol abuse in Scotland also gives me, and many others, reason to feel shame. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol, according to the Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity of Adults in Private Households 2000. Alcohol is classed as a drug and I consider alcoholics to be drug addicts for this reason. Scotland is infamous in its struggle with drink. Violent crimes recorded by the police rose by 11% in the last quarter...