Differences in the Irish & Scottish
- Some of the most significant differences between the Irish and Scottish have to do with the relationships of Ireland and Scotland with England. In the past several centuries through modern times, many Scottish people have served with pride in the armed forces and in the political arena of the British Empire as loyal subjects of England. The Irish people's relationship with England, by contrast, has been more antagonistic. Ireland, with the notable exception of the counties in Northern Ireland, has operated as an independent entity since World War I, having broken with English rule. The Scottish people retain some autonomous political authority, although it is directly granted to them by England. Scotland, therefore, is not a distinct sovereign state.
- Although the Irish and the Scottish have some common linguistic roots in the Gaelic tradition, significant differences exist between the Irish and the Scottish in this area. English is the predominant first language for Irish people today, with a minority of the country's citizens claiming Irish Gaelic as their language. The main languages in modern-day Scotland are Scottish English, Scottish Gaelic and Scots, also known as Lowland Scots. Scottish English is distinctive for employing contractions that appear strange to other English speakers, such as "amn't" for "am I not."
- The majority of Irish people are staunchly Roman Catholic, whereas the Scottish, who were strongly influenced by the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, mostly belong to the Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian church. Some Scottish people identify themselves as Baptist or Methodist, both Protestant denominations. In Northern Ireland, which shares religious roots with the Scottish, slightly more than half of the population is Protestant, with a significant minority belonging to the Roman Catholic religion.
- The Scottish diet relies more heavily on game and mutton than most other cultures, whereas Irish cuisine remains deeply influenced by the nation's high-quality beef and its famous potatoes. Both Ireland and Scotland produce excellent whiskey (spelled "whisky" for the Scottish product). The primary difference between the two drinks is that Irish whiskey is traditionally distilled three times, which gives it a lighter complexion and mouth feel. Scottish whisky, usually called Scotch, is traditionally distilled twice and made with barley dried with peat smoke, which gives the finished drink a heavier, smokier flavor.