Scotland: Gingers by Kieran Dodds (50 images)
Gingers
Scotland has the highest percentage of people with ginger hair in the world. The term ginger is a Scottish colloquialism for what others may term red. Recent research found that Edinburgh is the world capital of ginger hair with 40% of the population carrying the gene but only 13% actually expressing it in their hair type. The long-held view that the genes came from elsewhere have also been challenged with the notion that they actually developed in northern Europe as an...
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Scotland has the highest percentage of people with ginger hair in the world. The term ginger is a Scottish colloquialism for what others may term red. Recent research found that Edinburgh is the world capital of ginger hair with 40% of the population carrying the gene but only 13% actually expressing it in their hair type. The long-held view that the genes came from elsewhere have also been challenged with the notion that they actually developed in northern Europe as an...
more »
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![Dave Revie, 43, charity worker, from Glasgow.<br />
<br />
'Most of the taunting I received was from myself. I felt I was a minority and never much liked the texture - would have preferred straight black hair. <br />
<br />
'I only got comfortable with it when I started losing it! Not the colour, more the texture.' <br />
<br />
'People usually say fiery temper but [I've] always really been the opposite, level headed and calm and friendly. My experience is most red heads are quite placid, keeping their heads below the parapet. Part of me likes being the centre of attention and I am comfortable with that but I had low self esteem when I was young.'<br />
<br />
'It's quite Scottish, with caveman roots, I have naturally been good at sport. Maybe there’s a connection between caveman strength and natural athletic ability. I even have the features and the brow! I didn't do to well with women because of red hair. Can I go out with a ginger? A lot of red-headed women are gorgeous but I’d be selfconscious about it. My girlfriend isn't ginger.'<br />
<br />
'I have been all over the world playing golf and I appreciate people over there liking my pale skin. Red heads are a speciality human.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000SUhTUMXZRfE/t/200/I0000SUhTUMXZRfE.jpg)
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![Dave Revie, 43, charity worker, from Glasgow.<br />
<br />
'Most of the taunting I received was from myself. I felt I was a minority and never much liked the texture - would have preferred straight black hair. <br />
<br />
'I only got comfortable with it when I started losing it! Not the colour, more the texture.' <br />
<br />
'People usually say fiery temper but [I've] always really been the opposite, level headed and calm and friendly. My experience is most red heads are quite placid, keeping their heads below the parapet. Part of me likes being the centre of attention and I am comfortable with that but I had low self esteem when I was young.'<br />
<br />
'It's quite Scottish, with caveman roots, I have naturally been good at sport. Maybe there’s a connection between caveman strength and natural athletic ability. I even have the features and the brow! I didn't do to well with women because of red hair. Can I go out with a ginger? A lot of red-headed women are gorgeous but I’d be selfconscious about it. My girlfriend isn't ginger.'<br />
<br />
'I have been all over the world playing golf and I appreciate people over there liking my pale skin. Red heads are a speciality human.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000n0N7mNrcj4E/t/200/I0000n0N7mNrcj4E.jpg)
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![Louise Brennan, 25, stay at home mother, Edinburgh.<br />
<br />
I never say ginger- not because its bad- but I say red or auburn. <br />
<br />
People love my hair, they always comment. People in my family, as I am the only one in the family, everyone is quite dark. Dad was pretty fiery in his day but has more grey and the colour has become muted. I have had blonde highlights, historically, but I don't think any girl is completely happy with their hair. But I am going back to nature, back to the truth. <br />
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One other girl and one boy out of 80 at school. I was never bullied for it.<br />
<br />
I don’t feel like I am amazing cause I have ginger hair. At a dog show when I was 14 or 15 I was more self conscious after an auntie said she could see me in the crowd and I got really annoyed. I dont think about it that much. Definitely noticed I had it and mum was always quite proud.<br />
<br />
I can be very mellow and rational. My sister can be fiery too and she doesn't have red hair. People with ginger need more anaesthetic but I had a baby and it was pretty sore but I could deal with it. I do have a good threshold for pain with gas and air. <br />
<br />
People asked if Martha [my daughter] will have red hair, people kept saying that, i think they meant it in a nice way. its so rare and my husband is English and its more unique. Martha doesnt have any. <br />
<br />
I feel happy about it but know it comes with a tag. <br />
<br />
Either you’ve got it or you don’t.](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000AS8k6i3TW2w/t/200/I0000AS8k6i3TW2w.jpg)
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![Louise Brennan, 25, stay at home mother, from Edinburgh.<br />
<br />
'One other girl and one boy out of 80 at school [are ginger]. I was never bullied for it.'<br />
<br />
'I can be very mellow and rational. My sister can be fiery too and she doesn't have red hair. People with ginger need more anaesthetic but I had a baby and it was pretty sore but I could deal with it. I do have a good threshold for pain with gas and air.' <br />
<br />
'People asked if Martha [my daughter] will have red hair, people kept saying that, I think they meant it in a nice way. It's so rare and my husband is English and its more unique. Martha doesn't have any.' <br />
<br />
'Either you’ve got it or you don’t.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000srCQMCOj9hU/t/200/I0000srCQMCOj9hU.jpg)
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![Clockwise from top left: Steven McKay (37), Esther (2), Rebecca (33), Chloe (6), Lois (3) and Abigail (7).<br />
<br />
Steven McKay, 37, from Perth.<br />
<br />
'People make judgements about your character by your hair colour… Throughout life it has been helpful in developing character, I was bullied at school and thought it was because of my red hair but it was probably because I was annoying, I would use my hair as an excuse.'<br />
<br />
'Before kids people would ask if we were brother and sister which is outrageous! It's gingerism! They think all people with ginger hair look the same… I said to myself The next person who says that I will lamp [punch] them but then it was a church minister so I reneged on my vow.'<br />
<br />
Rebecca McKay, 33, stay at home mum, from Perth.<br />
<br />
At the library people come up and say You must hear this all the time but I have to say. I lived in Colombia for a year and people thought my hair was dyed.'<br />
<br />
'I am one of five and all have it but not as bright as mine. It's not sought after or admired. There is an Irn Bru advert where they are shouting at red-hairs kids and she drinks it with the slogan Irn Bru gets you through! I think my four daughters are wonderful as God made them and I am content with what God has given them.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000YjV_xoklygk/t/200/I0000YjV_xoklygk.jpg)
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![Abigail McKay, 7, schoolgirl, from Perth.<br />
<br />
'Worst thing is people look at the whole family having ginger hair. Best is when I wear a Merida [Disney character] costume and I don't need a wig.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000sjshdwyFnkI/t/200/I0000sjshdwyFnkI.jpg)
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![Abigail McKay, 7, schoolgirl, from Perth.<br />
<br />
'Worst thing is people look at the whole family having ginger hair. Best is when I wear a Merida [Disney character] costume and I don't need a wig.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000shY9xRf8nE8/t/200/I0000shY9xRf8nE8.jpg)
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![Steven McKay, 37, from Perth.<br />
<br />
'People make judgements about your character by your hair colour… Throughout life it has been helpful in developing character, I was bullied at school and thought it was because of my red hair but it was probably because I was annoying, I would use my hair as an excuse.'<br />
<br />
'Before kids people would ask if we were brother and sister which is outrageous! It's gingerism! They think all people with ginger hair look the same… I said to myself The next person who says that I will lamp [punch] them but then it was a church minister so I reneged on my vow.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I00004r98fMiYytk/t/200/I00004r98fMiYytk.jpg)
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![Barry McDonald, 43, events organiser, from Stirling.<br />
<br />
Growing up you never had red-haired role models, only Boris Becker but there were no really famous red heads. I had long red hair but starting going bald in my early 20s so shaved it off. When I lost my hair I was like Samson, all my powers gone! I didn't know I would go bald, my dad said its meant to skip a generation so I went to him and said I thought you said it skips a generation, you liar!<br />
<br />
'You got the usual jibes - ginger top, carrot nose, pull the plug and away he goes which didn’t make any sense but no one likes to be made fun of. Occasionally I grow a big red beard but Ruth [wife] refuses to speak to me until I shave it.' <br />
<br />
'I don’t mind losing my hair. I had a great colour but terrible style. In my dreams I have hair. A full head of hair… Some people dream about family members, I dream about hair.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000h7MWXJTAsVY/t/200/I0000h7MWXJTAsVY.jpg)
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![Barry McDonald, 43, events organiser, from Stirling.<br />
<br />
Growing up you never had red-haired role models, only Boris Becker but there were no really famous red heads. I had long red hair but starting going bald in my early 20s so shaved it off. When I lost my hair I was like Samson, all my powers gone! I didn't know I would go bald, my dad said its meant to skip a generation so I went to him and said I thought you said it skips a generation, you liar!<br />
<br />
'You got the usual jibes - ginger top, carrot nose, pull the plug and away he goes which didn’t make any sense but no one likes to be made fun of. Occasionally I grow a big red beard but Ruth [wife] refuses to speak to me until I shave it.' <br />
<br />
'I don’t mind losing my hair. I had a great colour but terrible style. In my dreams I have hair. A full head of hair… Some people dream about family members, I dream about hair.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000NZIhtbNZKAI/t/200/I0000NZIhtbNZKAI.jpg)
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![Regina Vereker, 31, stay at home mum from Uphall.<br />
<br />
'I say red as my mum said Ginger is something you put in food. She was reddish brown, red also came from dad’s side with two uncles and two cousins and two nieces, but it tends to be the girls.' <br />
<br />
'I got picked on a lot at school but pretty standard insults. My older sister dyed it and now her hair is breaking off. I let it be and am relieved now that I did so. People keep asking to have it dyed red they can’t give them the exact colour.'<br />
<br />
'Red hair makes you very quiet. You kept to yourself, last thing you want is ginger hair. I feel sad for my daughter as it might happen to her. Being noticed is the best and worst thing about it. You get compliments but I have had people walk away from me in the street.' <br />
<br />
'I used to live in London and you are definitely noticed more. Isla [daughter] gets really stared at so I am really protective of her. In Edinburgh, I feel more at home. In Scotland its easier to be ginger.'<br />
<br />
Isla, 2, from Uphall.<br />
<br />
'I have lovely red curly hair.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I00007miHhqdQE5s/t/200/I00007miHhqdQE5s.jpg)
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![Regina Vereker, 31, stay at home mum from Uphall.<br />
<br />
'I say red as my mum said Ginger is something you put in food. She was reddish brown, red also came from dad’s side with two uncles and two cousins and two nieces, but it tends to be the girls.' <br />
<br />
'I got picked on a lot at school but pretty standard insults. My older sister dyed it and now her hair is breaking off. I let it be and am relieved now that I did so. People keep asking to have it dyed red they can’t give them the exact colour.'<br />
<br />
'Red hair makes you very quiet. You kept to yourself, last thing you want is ginger hair. I feel sad for my daughter as it might happen to her. Being noticed is the best and worst thing about it. You get compliments but I have had people walk away from me in the street.' <br />
<br />
'I used to live in London and you are definitely noticed more. Isla [daughter] gets really stared at so I am really protective of her. In Edinburgh, I feel more at home. In Scotland its easier to be ginger.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000qfCFetMUnEU/t/200/I0000qfCFetMUnEU.jpg)
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![Calum McCruden, 21, Student of Applied Maths, from Glasgow.<br />
<br />
'If it's really really sunny, it's vibrant ginger but in the winter time it's a darker colour. It changes with the seasons. The long hair I have had for the last 5 years. It's really warm during winter but it's a bit of a hassle to deal with sometimes. Useful at gigs for friends to spot me in the crowd.' <br />
<br />
'I went to my first metal gig when I was in third year at high school and saw some people head banging and thought Oh, I want to do that!. Long hair also saves a fortune on hair cuts, it used to be down to my waist. I have been growing it for 6 years, got 6 inches cut off a few months ago. I have been told since [that] if I had kept the cuttings it will be worth a lot of money for use in wigs, especially if you cut it long.'<br />
<br />
'You get noticed by the oppostie sex, really odd. You start chatting about hair care products. Strangest line of conversation, I would never have this conversation with a dude but with you its fine. Eventually it almost always goes onto hair care products. I have been on nights out before where I have had random people come up and braid my hair. So I just sit there while they do it.'<br />
<br />
'When you are starting off you need to do it for short intervals. Head-banging is just moving your head up and down or in a circle and if you have short hair it looks nice. I have clashed heads with people and seen them on the floor and been like I am so sorry. I can do it for long periods of time, up and down I can do forever. Round and round I can only do it for a minute of two.'<br />
<br />
'Every ginger person I have met is really quite nice. Generally they are nice people. I feel more Scottish being ginger. You get people trying weegie (Glasgow) accents when you are on holiday. Once I graduate I would shave my beard but I would try and keep it long for as long as possible.'](https://archive.felixfeatures.com/img-get/I0000h55CB.5fd3c/t/200/I0000h55CB.5fd3c.jpg)
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