Culture shapes nations - and will be key to our independence march and rally.

Written by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp

Believe in Scotland campaigns for independence, helping the people of Scotland realise that Scotland can be a far better nation than we have now under the uncaring, incompetent and harmful governance of Westminster. That is what we live for.

We are not in this to help any political party, just to help Scotland be the nation we know it can be, to help the Scottish people achieve our potential. To achieve that potential, to lift our nation above its underserved second-rate/half-nation status we need to understand that Scottish culture is core to our national identity, self-respect and confidence.

People who feel Scottish or see Scottishness as inclusive and welcoming, and international in outlook are exponentially more likely to believe in Scotland. That's why Believe in Scotland doesn't just do politics and policy campaigning but actively champions Scotland's languages, culture and identity through our events.

Why is that so important? Well, Scottish culture is all too often overpowered by English/London-centric cultural, social and even economic biases. And then English/London-centric culture is in turn overpowered by American culture and socioeconomic values that jar with most in Scotland but no longer jar with most in the south of England.

A nation without a strong sense of itself, without the confidence that comes from a strong, proud and protected cultural identity, affects how people see themselves. National self-belief is weakened when your own culture is treated as marginal/ornamental - something just for the tourists. It also can fail to evolve and loses access to funding, as well as the external influences that would keep it relevant—this can create a negative cycle.

Scotland should be proud of its cultural heritage and its history. We should project our culture internationally and share it more confidently. A great irony is that Scotland the brand has a more positive emotional impact on people from outwith Scotland than it does within. Scotland has real international cultural capital and we should use it.

I am also not blind to the fact that I am writing this article in English (with only the occasional Scots word) and the spell-checker seems desperately keen to change the section above from “outwith Scotland” to ‘outside Scotland’. As a child in Prestwick, I spoke mostly Scots, but didn't realise it. When my family moved to England, my language changed. I didn't even realise until recently that my great-grandfather from Luing (whom I met) was a native Gaelic speaker who refused to even speak English, how quickly language and culture can be forgotten.

So despite my own language failings, I want to help others to realise that Gaelic is a living language to be proud of and that Scots is not slang but a language in its own right that is as old as its similar sibling language English. Scots and Gaelic are our birthright. Languages help shape the national identity in positive ways, even if, like myself, you are not able to speak them fluently, or even at all!

Cultural content makes the rally broader, stronger and more appealing. It provides a non-political context to the event. It gives people a further reason to attend and fully engage with our positive Scotland-centric, non-political party campaigning. It also allows the movement to come together outside of politics and enjoy the cultural ties that motivate us and bind us whilst creating a feeling of togetherness and shared purpose. That's why we have hosted several of our Creating Scotland events across the nation, all of which have sold out.

Scottish cultural performers joining us at this march and rally will be:
Taylor Dyson - Scots Scriver will perform a reading in Scots.
Kevin Gore - Scottish folk musician and singer-songwriter will perform two songs after the rally starts.
Soar Alba Pipes and Drums - will lead the march down the Royal Mile and then play from a static position as the march passes the Parliament.
Aonghas Mac a’ Ghobhainn agus caraidean - Gaelic singer-songwriter and a group of leading folk musicians coming together to perform at this event.
The event will also be hosted by Alistair Heather, journalist, historian and Scots language champion.

Believe in Scotland is the independence movement; we campaign for independence and we champion Scotland culture and identity. Join us.