I haven’t read How the Scots Invented the Modern World, not even browsed it,

but I am ready to believe the general notion. It’s amazing what large areas

of the earth’s surface are basically Scottish in ethnicity and values.

Canada, for example; and New Zealand; and–believe it or not–Hong Kong

(though that is more of a Scottish-Cantonese condominium). All together

now: “The Scotsman is mean, as we’re all well aware, And bony and blotchy

and covered with hair. He eats salted porridge, he works hard all day, And

he hasn’t got bishops to show him the way…”