Scotland's shame? : bigotry and sectarianism in modern Scotland

Scotland's foremost composer, James MacMillan, accused his country of being a land of "sleep-walking bigotry" where "visceral anti-Catholicism" disfigures national life.

Clearly MacMillan had touched a nerve. Was Scotland really "Northern Ireland without the guns and bullets?" Although the debate was intense, however, few contributions rose above the level of swapping competing anecdotes.

It became clear there was a need for more reflective assessments and for hard evidence to confirm or deny the many assertions made in the course of the discussion.

This text tackles the issues MacMillan raised head on.

Both Catholic and Protestant perspectives are represented.

MacMillan's lecture is printed in the book together with his own reaction to the media storm which it provoked.