Tilda Swinton has revealed that she once slapped a friend and colleague after he mistakenly referred to her as “English.” The incident occurred while she was filming the 1992 movie “Orlando.” In a recent interview with The Guardian, Swinton was reminded of the story by the interviewer, who mentioned that a mutual American friend had erroneously called her English rather than British or Scottish. Swinton responded by slapping him.
Swinton, who speaks with an English accent, was born in London and attended various English schools. However, she describes her nationality as Scottish. “Well, I’ll slap myself on the back for that now,” she said, adding, “I mean, he should know better. And you know these Americans: you’ve got to teach them. Quite right!”
The daughter of Scottish aristocrat Sir John Swinton of Kimmerghame and granddaughter of Scottish politician George Swinton, the Oscar winner spent much of her childhood in Scotland and has lived in the Highlands since 1997. Despite her English accent, Swinton has always identified as Scottish. She has never felt English or British, politically or otherwise.
Her “Scottishness” has been questioned before. In 2018, “Trainspotting” star Kelly Macdonald accused Swinton of being too “posh” to be Scottish and said she was “really English.” Macdonald said on US television, “I have a problem with people that are Scottish but don’t sound it. I get very, very confused. She’s posh Scottish. Posh Scottish people are really English. I am not posh.”
Swinton defended her Scottish identity, telling the BBC that she had never considered herself British or English and had pledged her support for Scottish independence. “I have lived in Scotland full-time for the last 20 years, I was brought up in Scotland through my childhood, I am from a family that has lived in Scotland for centuries. I have never felt English, and I have never felt British, politically. I am happy to describe myself as Scottish and I feel, like many people, that Scotland is a naturally independent country.”
Swinton’s commitment to her Scottish identity is evident in her personal life as well. She has lived in the Highlands since 1997, residing in a 118-year-old property in the fishing port of Nairn. She shares this home with her children, twin sons Honor and Xavier, who she had with Scottish artist John Byrne, and her current partner, German painter Sandro Kopp.
Swinton’s passion for Scottish independence is well-documented. She has consistently expressed her belief that Scotland is a naturally independent country. “I have never felt English, and I have never felt British, politically. I am happy to describe myself as Scottish,” she said in an interview with the BBC.
The incident where she slapped her friend serves as a testament to her strong feelings about her national identity. “I mean, he should know better. And you know these Americans: you’ve got to teach them. Quite right!” she quipped, adding that she was proud of her reaction. “Well, I’ll slap myself on the back for that now.”
Swinton’s story highlights the complexities of national identity, especially for someone who has lived in different parts of the UK but identifies strongly with one. Despite being born in London and attending English schools, her Scottish heritage and upbringing have always been a significant part of her identity.
Her father, Sir John Swinton, was a Scottish aristocrat and retired British Army general, and her grandfather, George Swinton, was a Scottish politician. These familial ties have undoubtedly influenced her strong sense of Scottish identity.
Swinton’s commitment to her Scottish roots is not just a personal matter but also a political one. She has been a vocal supporter of Scottish independence, believing that Scotland is a naturally independent country. “I have never felt English, and I have never felt British, politically. I am happy to describe myself as Scottish,” she reiterated.
The slap incident, while seemingly trivial, underscores the importance of national identity to Swinton. It also serves as a reminder that identity is a deeply personal and often complex issue, influenced by a variety of factors including family heritage, upbringing, and personal beliefs.
Swinton’s story is a fascinating exploration of how national identity can be both a personal and political issue. Her strong identification with Scotland, despite her English accent and London birth, challenges conventional notions of identity and highlights the importance of personal and familial ties in shaping how we see ourselves.
In conclusion, Tilda Swinton’s revelation about slapping a friend who called her English instead of Scottish is more than just an amusing anecdote. It is a powerful statement about her strong sense of Scottish identity and her commitment to her roots. Despite her English accent and London birth, Swinton has always identified as Scottish, a sentiment that is deeply rooted in her family heritage and personal beliefs.
Source: The Guardian, BBC
