The Simpsons might be a little past its sell=by date, but the characters from the never-ending series are deeply imbedded in global pop culture. According to the Times, Groundskeeper Willie is the best-known Scotsman on earth, more instantly recognizable than actual people like Ewan McGregor and Sean Connery. And the Scots aren’t happy about that.

“Think of the worst possible stereotype of the Scot,” writes Melanie Reid (whose last name sounds suspiciously Scottish), “double it, and you have got Willie — a red-haired, bearded, foul-tempered, incompetent, haggis-eating, testosterone-filled boor who spends his private time secretly videotaping couples in their cars.” Worse, according to survey group Ipsos MORI, that’s pretty much how Americans view the Scots. Scotland has spent years trying to upgrade its image in the world, and it can’t be good news to learn that Americans regard the Scots as a violent, backward lot with too many sheep on their hands. Even worse, younger Americans seemed to have only the dimmest idea of where Scotland was located, and many couldn’t name a single Scottish city.

Of course, you can’t generalize about these things. I’m American, and I’m well aware that Scotland is a sophisticated country with fine cities like Glasgow, whose friendly inhabitants are always ready to greet you with the famous “Glasgow kiss.” And, thanks to Trainspotting, I know that everyone in Edinburgh is a pasty-skinned heroin addict.