Scotland is still battling its own cultural cringe. We have a wonderful array of talent stemming from our country, be it actors, musicians, artists, designers or people from other fields, we should be proud.
So what happened at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony then? Yes it was a jamboree of clich and toe curling ridiculousness but for the cheesiness of each John Barrowman in a tartan suit moment there was the sublime talent of Nicola Benedetti.
There was also the fantastically bold decision to have Barrowman kiss a man as part of the performance. That was simply a wonderful signal to the 42 Commonwealth countries where homosexuality is outlawed.
Why, then, this outpouring of rage online about the ceremony? It even got to the stage where some people were posing questions whether it was because artistic director David Zolkwer is English.
Grow up. Nationality has nothing to do with it. Director Andrew Panton, who was in charge of the opening sequence “The Kingdom of the Scots”, is from Burntisland for a start.
He told this paper there were deliberately self-deprecating moments, discussed in detail with Zolkwer.
Yes, there were moments that made me embarrassed. No, I didn’t think it showcased Scotland’s arts as well as it could have but that’s nothing to do with where the people behind it were born.
That’s just what happens at these ceremonies. They are cringe worthy. Now let’s settle down and enjoy the real action.