The Scottish national identity is both ephemeral and real, a perception of distinctness but not necessarily a wish for separation from the larger entity of the United Kingdom. Judging by votes cast to date a majority in Scotland do not share the Scottish Nationalist goal of "Scottish independence" (meaning the creation of an independent sovereign state of Scotland separate from the United Kingdom), but people are clear as to whether they are Scottish or of another nationality such as English or Welsh. People can share a British nationality in the United Kingdom while still being fully aware of which of the countries in the union they belong to. While the English often say England when they mean Britain, this is not accepted north of the border and as long as, in the words of the song, "there'll always be an England", the Scottish identity will remain distinct.

Since the Scots arrived from Ireland the History of Scotland has shown a developing identity, often set against England. With the Union of the Crowns Scotland retained its government, though maps now showed Great Britain. After the Union of the Parliaments the Scottish Enlightenment identified with "North Britain", but about the same time Robert Burns revived pride in the Scottish vernacular. Lowland Scotland began to embrace the Gaelic culture of the Scottish Highlands which had previously been despised and feared by the Lowlands, and at the pivotal event of the visit of King George IV to Scotland the kilt and tartan were adopted as national icons.