Alex Massie Alex Massie

The lies we tell ourselves

This is a depressing paragraph:

William Wallace was a failure who only won one key battle; Robert the Bruce was a usurper struggling to retain power; Scotland was a willing entrant into the Act of Union. Such claims will infuriate nationalists and unionists alike when the BBC seeks to explode myths in Scottish history in a landmark series.

It is, of course, depressing that such judgments might be considered “controversial”. Why they should infuriate anyone remains a mystery given that they are, well, true.

I don’t think I need re-iterate my objections to the Braveheart fetish. Suffice it to say that it is all too typical that we should concentrate upon the noble failure (Wallace) rather than the complex – and oft conflicted – victor (Bruce). What one may say for Wallace is that he made Bruce possible. That’s no small medal to wear; equally one may recognise Bruce’s greatness while acknowledging that the manner in which he came to power was at best messy and, quite possibly, illegitimate.

Similarly, the most depressing – and, for that matter, witless – argument for independence is that it would right some (imagined) historical wrong. The Union was formed – albeit in pressing, difficult times – as a matter of national interest; the argument for its end, or survival, rests on precisely the same consideration of what may be in Scotland’s best interests in the future. Sentiment and custom should have a role, but not a veto, in this.

Unlock unlimited access, free for a month

then subscribe from as little as £1 a week after that
SUBSCRIBE

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in