Scotland’s Influence on the USA

You might be surprised to hear that the world’s most famous mouse, Mickey Mouse, was voiced for almost 40 years by a Scot. Jimmy MacDonald, who became world-famous sound effect wizard, was handpicked by Walt Disney himself to provide the voice for Mickey Mouse back in 1947. 

John Muir, who was born in Dunbar (a town in the south-east of Scotland), emigrated with his family at the age of 11 to Wisconsin, USA. Even when he was just a kid, he showed an early passion for the natural world and pursued these “obsessions” across the Atlantic where he fell in love with nature. Muir was also known as “Father of the National Parks” and was an early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the US. His activism helped preserve national parks in America — including Grand Canyon and Yosemite. 

Sports betting is yet another example of Scotland’s (and UK’s) influence on the US. Namely, sports betting is a kind of tradition in Scotland and the UK, while some of the most popular sportsbooks and casinos in the world are UK-based. And, as of recently, all forms of online gambling have been legalized in the US.

The main reason why online gambling has been legalized in the US is that the government realized how much online gambling can strengthen the US economy. And none of this would be possible without the enormous success of UK bookmakers and casinos. So, casino players in the US can take advantage of online casino bonuses, like the Golden Nugget promotions, and this is somewhat possible because of the UK’s influence on America.   

These are just a few examples of Scottish influence on American culture. Let’s take a look at some other equally important examples.

Scotland and America 

Out of 45 Presidents of America, an astonishing 34 have been of either Ulster-Scots or Scottish descent. This includes Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, Gerald Ford, Woodrow Wilson, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan. According to genealogists, the last US president, Barack Obama, is related to William the Lion who ruled Scotland in the 13th century. 

“Uncle Sam” is the most popular personification of the United States, but not many Americans know something about the origins of their national icon. According to history books, the original “Uncle Sam” was Sam Wilson, a food business operator in New York whose parents emigrated from Scotland. 

Many place names in the United States have Scottish origins. There are seven Glasgows, eight Edinburghs, eight Abeerdeens, and many other places that carry Scottish names. Also, many places were named after Scottish clans, including Cameron, Douglas, Campbell, and Crawford. 

Scotland-American Connections 

Not many people know that Neil Armstrong was of Scottish descent. When he went on his historic space flight in 1969, he brought a scrap of Armstrong tartan with him to pay tribute to his ancestors from Langholm. Armstrong’s colleague, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, also had Scottish roots. 

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, also boasts Scottish antecedents. The musical icon’s roots can be traced back to the village in Aberdeenshire. He descended from Andrew Presley, who emigrated from Scotland to North Carolina in the 1740s. 

Scotland influenced the USA automotive industry as well. Namely, Buick is one of the most recognizable brands in the motor industry that is stamped on over 30 million cars in the USA. The car was named by a plumber from Arbroath, David Dunbar Buick, who went to the USA in 1856 and established the Buick Motor Company.