Scotch rocks

Allan Massie (Comment, 3 August) confirms many of the points made in my recent letter, including the use of "Inglis" as the term used to describe Lallans in the Middle Ages.

It seems fair to ascribe the origin of the term "Scotch" to the 18th century, or, perhaps a little earlier. I may be incorrect, but I do not believe it existed in Cromwell's day.

Nonetheless, I am prepared to accept that I may be wrong on that. What is indisputable is that the term "Scotch" is closely accompanied, historically, by the term "North Britain".

Used extensively throughout Scotland during the 18th and 19th century, it had become a term that was as disliked by Scots (or should that be Scotch?) as the terms used by Robert Louis Stevenson, whose confusion between Britain and England illustrates the identity confusion that still pertained in his day.

In fact, my father in the 1940s or 1950s, greatly exercised by a letter from a professional colleague in Oxfordshire who wrote to him in "Edinburgh NB" (north of the Border], replied to him in "Oxfordshire SB". Needless to say, the gentleman in Oxfordshire nearly suffered a seizure at this perceived slight.

My father was delighted at the response, which is akin to my delight when I explain to those from south of Berwick who describe those from north of the Border as "Scotch"' that, to me, they are "Englitch". Sauce for the goose!

ANDREW HN GRAY

Craiglea Drive

Edinburgh

Allan Massie wrongly claims that "Scotch" is "severely restricted to things that are bought and sold". I can buy Scotch beef, broth and whisky but must purchase "Scottish salmon" thanks to a prissy campaign some years ago proscribing the then current usage.

My now late, elderly Lanarkshire relatives would have said "She's Scotch" and another liked to say: "He's got a guid Scotch tongue in his heid." Despite this marker of nationality having a long and noble pedigree - as late as 1927, Edwin Muir wrote: "I am not Scotch, I'm an Orkneyman" -many Scots today would find this usage uneducated and maintain they were "Scottish".

The guid Scots tongue is dee'in awa and, as a rule, today's Scots speak either Scottish English or Standard English. It is therefore for them to define themselves as they choose and, sadly, to reject older, once cherised forms.

How, then, do they react to being described as "the Scottish", a usage now prevalent in England?

ERIC BROWN

Southborough Road

Bromley, Kent