Why is Scotland so overlooked in the USA?

This seems to be a common problem, Scotlass. I don't blame you for being frustrated by it.

Welcome to myLot.

Not a problem in my corner of America, Scotlass. But then the Appalachian mountains were settled largely by the Scots-Irish (or "Scotch-Irish" as is generally used locally), and there are many who proudly trace their roots to some combination of Anglo-Irish-Scots heritage--indeed, many to all three.

As for our household, we average 1 or 2 journeys each year to the UK, about evenly divided between Scotland and England, with Ireland or Wales thrown in occationally for good measure. This year we spent 2 weeks in Wales and England in April, and we spent just over 2 weeks in Scotland during August, mostly in the Highlands and Islands with a bit of Edinburgh tossed in for good measure. We have special places in both Scotland and England that particularly touch our hearts.

Nonetheless, I too find many Americans who haven't quite managed to get with the program. They think Scottish pounds are a separate currency, and they don't understand what Britain is--either geographically or politically. Great Britain, I have often explained, consists of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, plus a number of miscellaneous small islands. As for the British Isles themselves, I have further explained that, yes, even the Republic of Ireland is included. And back to the pounds . . . I have explained in detail that a number of British banks in different parts of the UK are permitted to issue paper currency, and that these bills all bear the signature of the issuing bank--whether in Scotland, England, or Northern Ireland. All these bills are BRITISH pounds with no inherent difference in value. (Unhappily, I have also had to issue this lecture in England, when trying to spend my Scottish pounds.) I can say from experience that this whole concept seems almost impossible for many to grasp.

I am sorry to say that for too many Americans, everything ends with our own borders. For example, to stand your example on its ear, how many "Americans" stop to realize that Canadians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Haitians, and even Cubans are also Americans? Not nearly enough. We are, sadly, a provincial lot. If those particular U.S. citizens thought any nation other than our own were important, they would know more and assume less. For now, however, we seem to lack even the maturity to be curious--an unfortunate fact that frustrates too many of our friends around the globe.

As for your question about whether these things are taught in our schools, the answer is: not really. Occasionally there is an exceptional teacher who will touch on such subjects, but that's all too infrequent. For example, I recall with horror what one of my children was taught about World War II. She came home with a map showing Germany and Italy as the Axis. All the rest of Europe was counted among the Allies! When I objected to his version of WWII, the teacher (who was really the football coach with added duties) simply responded that there were many "opinions" about all such historical questions! Oy! (So much for my graduate degrees in modern European history.) If you can't get a teacher to admit that such countries as Austria or Romania were part of the Axis during WWII, what chance have you got for a distinction between Britain and England?

Keep explaining. Once in a while you will find a glimmer of recognition and appreciation. You can rejoice in helping others to recognize that there is more to the larger world and its history than can be engraced on the head of seamtress's pin using a dull pick axe. Those glimmers are terribly satisfying. Folks like us can and do make that happen. Ignorance is frustrating, but it is also an opportunity to teach.