 The same author considers reasons why Bruce 's efforts to capitalise on this success met with failure , and suggests a combination of his shy , solitary , uncharismatic nature and his " fervent " Scottish nationalism . Bruce seemingly lacked public relations skills and the ability to promote his work , after the fashion of Scott and Shackleton ; a lifelong friend described him as being " as prickly as the Scottish thistle itself " . On occasion he behaved tactlessly , as with Jackson over the question of the specimens brought back from Franz Josef Land , and on another occasion with the Royal Geographical Society , over the question of a minor expense claim . 
