#i keep relating to autism posts here but then i remember i don't qualify for all aspects

[thelawlandlass]

The Lawland Lass FAQ

**PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING OR SHARING MY POSTS**

This is The Lawland Lass FAQ. It would be great if you could read it before commenting or sharing my blog posts. I want my blog to keep everyone happy and safe, so please take the time to scan through the text and remember, if you want to ask me anything well, you know what to do :)

**General Questions**

- Who are you? I'm Lucinda, Scottish born and raised in Scotland. I've lived in the Lowlands all of my life since I left the Highlands with my family, back in 1994. I am disabled (Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia) and Neurodivergant (Autism - Diagnosed in 1998) with eye problems. Currently I am in education hoping to go to University to study Scottish Ethnology. My passion is all things wool, and as the blog description says, I spin yarn (the historical way), crochet and make cord with a Lucet.

- Why did you write this Tumblr blog? I wrote it because there is not many young people my age into history, particularly historical spinning. Many Gen Z and Millennial people who spin are into modern style 'drop spinning', which they often confuse with historical, medieval spinning. By writing this blog, not only do I want to showcase traditional spinning - as opposed to drop spinning - but also, I want to tell the younger Scots to love and appreciate their culture more. As I said in the blog title, I am not a qualified historian so I don't claim to be morally superior (or knowledgeable) as them.

- What can I ask you? You can ask me stuff related to spinning, or anything related to my Scottish culture. Please understand that I am not an experienced spinner. In fact I know more on my culture than being an expert on spinning. I'm still very much on a learning path to traditional spinning so I won't be able to answer absolutely everything.

- Can I contact you any other way? You can only contact me through Tumblr. I value my privacy and the last thing I want is my email being bombarded with stuff that I cannot get through or reply to.

- Can I submit anything on here? At the moment I am not taking in any submissions. It's something I might consider if my blog builds up in followers and viewers.

**Spinning questions**

- What is the difference between suspended spinning and drop spindle spinning? Oh boy, this is not a difficult question! There are two major differences between modern drop spindle spinning and suspended spinning. Lets start with drop spinning: Drop spinning uses a spindle with a hook attached at the top tip of the whorl. The spinner holds the wool with one hand whilst holding the spindle in the other. With either a leader or hooking the roving with the hook, the individual grabs the bottom of the drop spindle and begins spinning. He/she then lets go of the spinning spindle and drafts the yarn with the spinning hand, whilst holding on to the roving. Suspended spinning, on the other hand, uses a spindle with a whorl (without a hook), and a distaff, as well as wool that usually hasn't been carded. Suspended spindles have a tapered whorl and are not attached to the spindle, unlike a modern drop spindle. To spin the yarn on a suspended spindle, you attach a leader to the wool mounted on the distaff and with your right (or left, if you are a leftie) hand you spin the spindle whilst the yarn is between your middle and ring finger. With your opposite hand you gently draft the wool as you spin clockwise, stopping the spindle as you draft more yarn.

- Is drop spinning the same as suspended/traditional spinning? NO! Drop spinning only goes as far back as the 20th century. Suspended spinning however, is at least over 5000 years old! Two different time periods, two different methods of spinning. Modern drop spinning doesn't use a distaff and the whorl is always attached with a hook. Historical spindles weren't made this way and I think it's a farce calling them both the same without properly looking at them.

- Why is medieval style/historical spinning lumped together with drop spindle spinning? Again, it's just lazy referencing, or it's information written by people who don't know much in the way of history. Misinformation also doesn't help either.

- I want to get into medieval/traditional spinning, but I don't know where to start! It can be daunting for those looking to getting into suspended spindle spinning but rest assured, there are plenty of resources out there! I am planning to write up a post up on websites/books at some point to bare with me. Unfortunately I cannot post it on this FAQ as it might be too much of a big list to fit everything in on here.

- What shops/places do you recommend on getting a medieval style suspended spindle, distaff, and other spinning supplies? There are quite a few places (mostly online) that sells suspended spindles, niddy noddy's, distaffs and other similar stuff. I'm gonna make a post with websites linking directly to businesses that make or sell supplies.

**Scottish questions**

- I am of Scottish heritage. Does that make me Scottish? The answer is, no. To be Scottish is to be born, raised or currently living in the country. Having one or both parents who are Scottish also makes you well, Scottish. Being of distant Scottish heritage does not make you Scottish because you are so far removed from your culture of origin. That being said, that doesn't mean you cannot acknowledge your background or be proud of your heritage. It also doesn't stop you from embracing the Scottish culture either.

- What about having Scottish DNA? Does that make me Scottish? Nope. There is no such thing as Scottish DNA. The truth of the matter is that there wasn't one, singular historical culture that existed for generations in Scotland expect for the Picts. Other groups came and went, like the Vikings, Anglo Saxons, Britons/Welsh and the Gaels (who still exist btw). Plus, the DNA of the UK is so vast and no culture shares the exact DNA as each other (source: university of Oxford - Who do you think you really are? A genetic map of the British Isles). The idea of pure, untouched Scottish genetics is BS. So to answer your question, no - DNA alone does not make you Scottish.

- What if I wasn't born in Scotland but have Scottish parents? Then you're Scottish because both your parents are from Scotland.

- How do I go about reclaiming my Scottish heritage respectfully?

You want an honest answer to that? Stop looking at my culture through a stereotypical lense. Don't look at Scottish culture like it's on the back of a shortbread tin. What I mean is that ignore the obvious tropes like 'och aye the noo', tartan jimmy, Scottish TikTok, and other derogatory representations of Scottish culture. We are a modern people with a real sense of pride for our country, and we hate it when non Scots see our existence as a novelty or, as a culture stuck in the past. If you want to embrace your Scottish heritage, then start by learning about our history, our struggles, our innovations, or what we've achieved as a nation before you decide to wear that kilt of yours.

- Why do you call yourself a 'Lowlander?' What is the difference between Highlander/Islander and Lowlander?

I won't go into absolute detail on this question because it will be too long of a post to write. Basically, Lowlander - Someone from the Scottish Lowlands (and Borders), which is the southern area of Scotland who most likely speaks Scots. Highlander/Islander, someone from the North Western area of Scotland, who speaks Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) or either lives in the main land or lives in the Outer Hebrides. Orkney and the Shetland Isles are to the very North of Scotland and the people who live there are regarded as Islanders.

- What Clan do I affiliate with? Can you tell me?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, Clan culture doesn't exist in Scotland anymore. The modern Clan gatherings you see are just gatherings of descendants, with the exception of the Clan chiefs having direct links to the historical Clans (and current royal family). It's very unlikely your surname is connected to a particular historical Clan. Not everyone with a MacDonald surname is actually connected to the MacDonald Clan. It's complicated, and I'm afraid I cannot tell you what Clan you belong to.

- I'm not Scottish or have Scottish ancestry. Can I wear Tartan? Or participate in Scottish culture?

Personally, I don't see the issue with a non Scot wearing Tartan or taking part in something cultural. I've spoken to many Scots who would agree with me. As long as it's done respectfully, then, who am I to judge?

- I have Stewart ancestry/heritage. Does that mean I'm related to the Royal Stewarts?

Probably not. Most Stewarts in Scotland have no direct link to the Royal Stewarts. I have Stewarts in my family tree but they are not Royal Stewarts, but Nacken (Scottish Traveller) Stewarts. This obsession for Royal Stewart ancestry seems to come from the Usains (Americans) who are obviously desperate to connect to something greater than themselves. It reminds me of how white Americans think they are a direct descendant of the 'Cherokee' princess, when we know for a fact the Cherokee have no royalty concepts in their culture.

[technicontrastron]

I feel more and more like i've been severely misdiagnosed