Certainly derived from a multi-ethnic mix of
Celtic, Pictish, Germanic, Norse and English roots
modern Scots � shrewdly and thankfully � make no attempts to base any nationalist claims on notions of racial purity. (said where did this come from?)
There was a distinct "air" to the Scottish idea that they are the most civilized breed on earth, there was a proudness that came from living rough! One has to be born there in order to be "Scot"; and only natives are supposed to wear clan tartan's (kilt). The men definitely wore their clothes with more pride than the women.
and do not make the mistake of saying "oh is that Ireland?" when Donne is obviously Scotland.
(a tradition currently being revived under the Scottish Executive�s �Scotland is the Place� campaign), Scots have always been known as great travellers and world settlers, with substantial emigration to Canada, the US and Australia (as well as England) continuing until the late 20th century, and establishing substantial populations of �hyphenated� Scots in each of these countries.