John King Bellassai, former president of the DC St Andrews Society, says Scottish Americans tend to let romance cloud their judgement when it comes to an independent Scotland.

BBC: Scottish independence: The American perspective

With many millions of Americans claiming Scottish roots and ancestory, ministers are keen to strengthen business and tourism links between the two countries.

BBC: Liddell pays tribute in New York

Even on Burns Night, getting Americans to eat the most Scottish of meals is no easy task, explains Paisley-born Jim Short, 76, who attends a Burns Supper in LaGrange, Georgia, organised by The Order of the Tartan, a local Scottish heritage society.

BBC: The offal truth about American haggis