ON A trip to the Mountain West of the United States, I was up early for a stroll by Bear Lake in Northern Utah. The morning light glistened on the fresh face of stunning blue. As I crossed a raised bank, there was a thistle in all its brilliance, an ancient symbol that carried me to the bonnie banks of any number of lochs across Scotland – transported to a reflective place of reverence for the courage of women and men who came from Scotland and toiled, tilled, and transformed these regions.

I was drawn to the spirit of Scotland that permeates the Mountain West. At a time when we are all focused on the US elections, I walked away considering the many opportunities that exist today, and in the future, for Scotland and the Mountain West to honour the past and cultivate modern links.

There are so many remarkable stories of Scottish immigrants that echo through the mountains and the vast valleys of the Mountain West. The entrepreneurial nature, agricultural and agrarian skills, masonry talents, business acumen, and mechanical ingenuity of these immigrants built communities, shaped education, and advanced commerce. Of course, immigrants came and still come from many nations, but without Scottish immigrants the growth of the West would have had a less successful outcome.

Consider the seminal event for commerce and engineering that occurred in 1869 in Utah. Following the Civil War, there was an ambitious goal to build a railroad from coast to coast. Scots were very prominently involved. A key figure was Scottish-born John Sharp. After emigrating to Utah, Sharp rose to become the key negotiator for transcontinental railroad construction. He was a prominent figure at the ceremony in 1869 that celebrated the last “Golden Spike” being put in place.

Another individual was Scottish-born Walter McQueen who was a successful designer of locomotives. One of his trains, The Jupiter, was at the 1869 ceremony and is celebrated on US postage stamps. Then there is the story of Glasgow-born David Eccles. Eccles and his family were leaders in the economic and social growth of Utah, the Mountain West, and the Pacific Northwest. The well-respected University of Utah School of Business is proudly named after him.

One particularly touching story comes from Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is a story of enterprise, love between two Scots and their adopted home, a Scottish sculptor, and a renowned poet. Because 4,300 miles from Ayr, there stands a statue of Robert Burns in Cheyenne. Andrew Gilchrist was born in Ayr, and his wife Mary Gemmell in Glasgow. As a young couple they came to Wyoming well before it gained statehood in 1890. Andrew became a prominent businessman, and they both became influential citizens. When Andrew died, Mary remembered their relationship by commissioning Scottish sculptor Henry S. Gamely to create a bold work in tribute to Robert Burns. For nearly a century, that prominent Burns statue stands in Cheyenne.
The mystique of romantic Scotland, of castles, ancient clans, and legendary figures is alluring. Nevertheless, over-consumption of this perpetuates stereotypes, and overshadows modern Scotland. Narrowly typecasting Scotland can stand in the way of opportunities for new tartans of collaboration to be weaved.

Conversely, perhaps, Scotland has certain perceptions or misunderstandings of the Mountain West that hold Scottish industry back. The past should serve as a motivator for innovation in the future. Technological innovation has particular potential for partnership and investment. Businesses across Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, and Idaho have accelerated innovation with aggressive investments in the growth and sustainability of this sector.

This is not unlike the approach Scotland has taken to grow high tech sectors from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders. In addition, Scotland has just unveiled a bold vision as a leading destination for inward investment.

Scotland and the individual states of Mountain West would benefit from a more profound understanding of the depth of capability that exists in the respective locations. The result of deeper engagement will be exciting. We will see an increased trading relationship. We will witness more partnerships between entities in Scotland and the Mountain West that advance research and development related to technology, space, energy, science, art, medicine, agriculture, and further academic and scholarly exchanges between universities.

This new era will represent a fresh and hardy thistle both Scotland and the Mountain West can nurture – a rewarding journey taken together that honours a rich heritage.

Ian Houston has spent his career in Washington, DC as an international non-profit leader, a policy advocate for diplomatic engagement and global poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He formerly worked in the U.S. Congress on policy staff. He currently serves as a consultant and as the Ambassador for the Scottish Business Network (SBN) in Washington, DC. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of SBN.