The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), which represents dozens of private schools across Scotland, has come under fire for publishing a so-called "myth-buster" for families living outside the UK.
To a large extent the guide addresses anti-Scottish myths and stereotypes. The guide helpfully tells parents that it doesn't rain all the time and that Scotland is "incredibly accessible,” just in case they thought that the only way they'd be able to reach their children's school would be following a three-day trek along a dirt path through a remote glen while perched precariously on the back of a Hielan coo.
Possibly the guide also informed parents that vegetables are actually available in Scotland and that the official nutritional guidance from Scottish health authorities doesn't count a tin of spaghetti hoops as part of your five a day.
What the guide has attracted the most criticism for is its assurance to prospective parents that their child would be unlikely to pick up a Scottish accent. This only needs to be given if you are starting from the assumption that the acquisition of a Scottish accent is a bad thing or that learning to speak with the upper-class English accent known to linguists as RP (Received Pronunciation) is the most desirable outcome for a child.
This piece is an excerpt from today's REAL Scottish Politics newsletter, which is emailed out at 7pm every weekday with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from the Wee Ginger Dug.
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