Scottish by Inclination book by Highland author tells story of love affair with nation and shares voice of EU citizens
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A Highland author champions the voice of the immigrant in her latest book, published this week to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the Brexit referendum.
Barbara Henderson was born in Germany, but has lived in Scotland for 30 years and recently gained dual German-British citizenship.
In Scottish by Inclination she tells how she fell in love with Scotland and chose it as her home.
People from EU countries now living, working or studying in Scotland have until June 30 to join the EU Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue doing so.
“Many EU citizens who have made their home here have become integral to their communities,” she said.
“They have succeeded and even excelled in their chosen fields, created community initiatives, filled crucial vacancies and brought with them an international outlook which our country needs to hold on to.”
As well as telling her own story, the author – most widely known for her works for children – has also collected accounts of life from 30 fellow EU citizens about their own experience of living in Scotland including NatureScot environmental lawyer Maria de la Torre, Dr Andreas Herfurt and artists Lotte Glob and Evija Laivina.
“The immigrant voice matters,” Barbara said. “It is my lived experience, and the many interviews with EU nationals included in the book only attest to the fact that there are many stories, like mine and unlike mine, which have become part of the warp and weft of Scottish society.”
Scottish by Inclination is published by Luath Press.
Appeal to citizens as EU settlement deadline approaches
