OriginalSunshine

Hi all,

after a 20+ year absence from the UK we may be moving to Aberdeen soon with teenage sons educated in English system 🤦🏻‍♀️

We are English, so not sure if there is hostility towards English people still?

Any and all advice, positive and negative (constructive) thoughts and opinions will be much appreciated 🙏

thanks, OS

verystormy

I am English and been living in Scotland for 4 years after returning from Australia and have never felt any issues as an Englishman

Is there a reason you have chosen Aberdeen though?

OriginalSunshine

Work 😏

verystormy

So you have a job offer in Aberdeen?

Jamesy5008

We are English, so not sure if there is hostility towards English people still?

There never has been. Don't believe the anti-English rhetoric that you read in the Daily Fail or some of the wilder garbage that a few Scottish nationalists come away with. You are presumably in the oil industry. You won't be staying in 'the scheme'. You have nothing to worry about other than there are idiots all over the world as you will be well aware. And Aberdeen is a lovely city. Good choice.

Pulaski

"Still"? AFAIK most overt hostility to Englishmen declined after 1745.

robin1234

1745 — you talk about that, as if it’s a long time ago.

scot47

1745 was not a war between Scots and English. Much more complex than that. As for anti-English hostility in Aberdeen in the year 2020, I would think it is rare. I Hpowever, were I an Anglo in Aberdeen I might take care to lower any strident noises about "Engerland". Lots of English members in the SNP. .Desire fro independence doe not equate to hating our Southern neighbours - despite what you read in the English Yellow Press.

I am reminded of a quote from Robert Cunningham Graham - “The enemies of Scottish Nationalism are not the English,” he told a rally in 1930, “for they were ever a great and generous folk, quick to respond when justice calls. Our real enemies are among us, born without imagination.”

OriginalSunshine

Thank you. We were last there 15yrs ago visiting friends and encountered hostility when we went to the shops, restaurants etc. Not outright rudeness but lots of digs and jabs, so it’s been putting us off actually to move and live in Aberdeen.

Jamesy5008

This will have been their attempt at friendly 'banter'. I refer you to my earlier post 'there are idiots all over the world as you will be well aware'. Other than my beloved Edinburgh, Aberdeen is the only other major city in Scotland where I would live.

OriginalSunshine

Thanks again!

Pulaski

Which as an Englishman you should shrug off like water off a ducks back.

"Remember that you are an Englishman, and have consequently won first prize in the lottery of life." Cecil Rhodes.

robin1234

That’s interesting! I love the sound of Aberdeen but I’ve never been there, I was planning a week there this spring when the health emergency intervened.

What about Dundee? I read about that and it sounded like a decent place.

Jamesy5008

Apologies to any Dundonians but it's my least favourite Scottish city. It's probably had a facelift (hopefully) since I was last there but I always found it dour and dull. Aberdeen seems to me just a nice place to live and work and you have the North coast of Scotland on your doorstep and Orkney and Shetland not far too.

Vaseepoo

Hi,

I’m a Londoner (arguably the most annoying of all Englishmen to a Scot 😉) and we were relocated as a family to Aberdeen for a year for my husbands O&G job. We were living in Canada at the time so we were all relocated and I repatriated.
Aberdeen was amazing, we immediately made friends and the people were so welcoming and warm. Quiet a few of them were moved there for work too so there is a great community that are very open to newcomers. I felt absolutely no hostility because of my Englishness and after a few months we even had some great Doric phrases down.
I mean it was the wettest summer I have ever experienced and you have to be prepared for all seasons every time you leave the house, but it’s a great place. The students make the city lively and fun, all the pubs in the churches are brilliant. The Scottish culture is fantastic, the history in the area is amazing to learn about and the surrounding areas provide everything you could want from amazing wildlife to the best bacon butties I have ever eaten and even high end restaurants.

I wouldn’t hesitate to go back or stay even longer. I’m sure your family will have a great adventure.