Och Aye, Haggis, Tartan and Redheads

It’s quite obvious that the rest of the world have quite a stereotypical view of Scotland and Scottish people, right? We’re all supposed to wear kilts, eat haggis and have ginger hair, right? I can honestly say that I don’t fit that criteria at all but that doesn’t mean the stereotype had diminished in anyway, even in today’s media with a number of Scottish characters in today’s media seem to hold a number of these stereotypical traits.

First up, we have Amy Pond in Doctor Who played by Scottish actress Karen Gillan so although it’s a relief to not be subject to an English or (God forbid) American actress try and stumble her way through words in Scottish dialect, Amy Pond does display a number of typically Scottish characteristics. First of all, she’s a redhead. Strike 1. Second of all, she’s fiery and hot-tempered and although some may say that is a stereotype of being a redhead, Scottish people are rarely known for their patient nature but rather their bold and brash personalities just like Amy’s. Strike 2. And finally, this girl knows how to pack a punch, just like most of the natives of Glasgow seem to. Strike 3! While she doesn’t wear a kilt, that’s already been covered by another Scottish companion long before the days of colour TV that went by the name of Jamie McCrimmon.

          Next up, we have a personal favourite of mine which is Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott from the Star Trek franchise. He was first portrayed by James Doohan in the original series before being played by Simon Pegg in the reboot. Scotty was not originally Scottish and his nationality was chosen by Doohan himself when upon learning his character was an engineer, he figured that Scottish people would make good engineers. Whatever gave him that idea, I don’t know. I guess this is just another stereotype that the rest of the world hold for us. With a reference once being made about Scotty being a pub crawler, I figured that he’s a character who can hold his alcohol which fits into yet another popular Scottish stereotype.

           Although not a frequent viewer of The Simpsons I know who Groundskeeper Willie is, the angry school janitor with ginger hair, a knack for playing bagpipes, a penchant for tartan and the worst temper known to man? Honestly, need I say more?

          Finally we have red-haired princess Merida from Disney Pixar’s Brave. Set in Scotland, the movie tells the tale of Merida’s quest for her own freedom (no Braveheart jokes, please). She’s a sarcastic, unladylike archer who claims that she does not need a man to define her. Now, if this does happen to be a Scottish stereotype, then for once it’s one that I can fully support!