"This is not to say that the Scots are not fine people, but they were all sort of... well, my grandfather was a minister and sort of Protestant, and this was rather depressing to me"

In this quote, author Alan Hovhaness is reviewing his Scottish heritage and the impact it had on him growing up. He acknowledges that the Scots are a great people, however then goes on to discuss that his grandfather was a minister and a Protestant, which appeared to have a negative impact on him. This suggests that Hovhaness might have had conflicting feelings about his family's religious beliefs and how they may have encountered his own personal beliefs and values. It also hints at a sense of frustration or unhappiness in regards to his grandfather's spiritual influence on him. In general, this quote highlights the intricacies of identity and the effect of family and cultural background on a person's viewpoint.