The Celtic Connection

What are the origins of the ties that exist between Ireland and Scotland, and how has this relationship evolved into it's current state? these are just two of the questions I will attempt to answer.

From earliest times the two countries, formed a single cultural, religious, linguistic and economic zone. The early Scots who came to Scotland from Ireland in the 5th and 6th centuries established the foundations for Irish - Scottish migrations, which continue to this day. Two of the most significant migrations were:

In the seventeenth century 200,000 Scots, encouraged by the English who were eager to strengthen their influence in Ireland, migrated to Ulster. Poverty and famine in Ireland during the 19th century led to a maass movement of the Irish to Scotland. The availibility of cheap labour from Ireland was key in ensuring the. In major cultural achievements, too, each country affected the other profoundly. The Scottish Enlightenment, began in Ireland in the work of the philosopher Francis Hutcheson, who later moved to Glasgow and greatly influenced the work of David Hume and Adam Smith.

One of the key links between the two counties in the large Diaspora of each. Tens of millions of citizens with Scottish and Irish ancestry can be found across the globe in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Both countries are keen to engage on their Diasporas. For example during the 2009 homecoming the Scottish government encouraged Scots to return to Scotland.

In Scotland today people of Irish decent are the single largest minority ethnic group, and there are a large number of Scots living in Ireland. The english'issue'brought both countries together - the need to preserve their identity in the shadow of a powerful neighbouring culture. I will now take a look at some of the shared aspects of culture - celti cmusic, dress and sporting activities.

A commonality between the culture if the two countries in clearly shown in the wearing of the kilt - a clear link between the two nations is. While Scottish Kilts tend to have a range of lines and colours, Irish kilts have tended to be one solid colour such as saffron or green. Irish Country Tartans.

Sport is another areas that has links, interestingly the Irish-Scots were instrumental in the formation of Celtic Football Clubs Hibernian and Dundee United. Indeed, these teams were originally formed to provide recreational facilities for Irish immigrants.

Celtic music has a strong historical traditional in Scotland and Ireland with both using fiddles, bagpipes, whistles and bodhrans. Often, the term Celtic music is applied to the music of Ireland and Scotland however, it is notable that Irish and Scottish traditional musicians tend to point out the differences between the too.

Today the relationships between Ireland and Scotland continues to be shaped by the changes to the political dynamic brought about by devolution in Scotland, the Peace Process in Northern Ireland as well as the deeper integration into the European Union, which is and will remain Scotland and Ireland's most significant economic relationship.

Anna Murray is Head of Marketing at The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about Scottish and Irish Kilts including measuring yourself for a kilt and choosing your tartan visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555