ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between Scottish nationalism and Europeanness. I investigate pro-European rhetoric as used by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in public discourse and contrast the message of this discourse with survey evidence. Through this Scottish case study, it is revealed that Scottish pro-Europeanness has been contested in public debate over the last decades. Today Scottish nationalism, and support for the European Union, remains more nuanced than many outside observers may conclude. This study reaches three main conclusions. The first point is that a hyperactive politicised Europeanness in macro-level politics has only marginal implications for the wider Scottish public. The second is that Europeanness and nationalist identity are not inconsistent. Lastly, Scotland’s mainstream political framing of immigration has been employed to justify Scottish distinctiveness, and garner support for an independent Scotland in Europe.
