As an American I think it would be a disaster. As much as the scots have regional pride I think they should work more towards unity with England and Wales then seperation. I would recommend starting by combining their international soccer teams into one team.

yes of course

Since they already have a separate parliament and most of the British Cabinet are all Scots it would be pretty stupid , they only have 3 million people and the tax revenue would not even pay for their parliament never mind any Social Security or education system. Why want to rule a little bit of the islands when they are now ruling the lot?

They could...But the important thing is: they don't want to, so they won't...

As a Scot, I believe that Scotland should cut its final ties with ngland and return to independence. There is a lot of bigotry about this, as we have defended the right of Slovakia to separate from the Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, et al were once Yugoslavia, but the government refuse to allow Scotland to go its own way. I wonder why? OK, so oil and gas are starting to peter out. Scotland presently gets most of the revenue from that back as a subsidy from Westminster. That would be lost to an independent Scotland. But Scottish Hydro Electric produces 20% of UK's power needs, while its 6.5M inhabitants make up only 10% of the population. England already buy power requirement from abroad, but could buy it from an independent Scotland more cheaply. And speaking of Hydro, we have water - loads of it. With Climate Change on the way and English water companies who can't sort their water-loss problems, Scotland can supply water at competitive prices. As we get warmer, as well, we'll become even more of a tourist haven. Scotland has its own education system, legal system, and banking system. A more than generous share of Britain's defence has been from Scotland, although it seems every disbanded or merged unit is now Scottish (could the English be running scared?). Within a European Union (many Scots want this but are held back by England) there is no reason to have a smaller Union. Of course Scotland should be independent - we've given the world so much and can still give so much more. http://www.firstfoot.com/patently%20scottish/patentlymain.htm http://www.scottishgatherings.co.uk/page154.html Why would anyone want to hold such inventiveness down? Known and respected the world over, Scotland has always punched above its weight and will continue to do so well into the future. In the words of Moses, "Let my people go!".

Personally I don't think so, but if the Scots want to separate from the UK I am ok with it.

Yes. I think it should slowly pull away and keep its mineral wealth for itself. Scotland has the potential to do as Ireland did and join the EU full stop, become a world player in business with tax schemes like Ireland's that will bring more corps over with jobs for skilled workers. Scotland has an excellent education system but its people leave in droves for better opportunities elsewhere. I would like to see that change.

Scotland has been wanting independance from Briton for hundreds of years,and now they have a chance to be free of them,without war.I think it would be good economically for both countries to go thier own way.Each country has it's own identity and culture and both should be respected.

yes.

Not to answer a question with a question, but is there anywhere in the world where two states share one island and everything comes up roses in the end?

I believe that if the Scots want independence they should receive it.

well it might aswell be seein as the way u act independent anyway

Hell Yeah. Bring it on.

No I don't think so. Ullyses made some excellent points though. Scotland has provided much to the world: infamous scholars, technology, oil, water, a sizeable part of defenses in the UK. They have their own banking system, education system and legal system. Scotland has wanted independence for many, many years, as MrLogic said.. so why don't they have it? I'll tell you why: Scotland may have all of the above, but they can't govern a country. Who's going to run an independent Scotland? Alex Salmond? England has been outsmarting, outwitting and undermining Scotland for many, many years. And Scotland has yet to show some balls and take what it deserves. Scotland will never be independent. And if ever it is, I don't think it'll make us any better off. The people who run Scotland are those who brown-nose the English, and if Scotland was independent it would be our own kind screwing us over, instead. Better the devil you know.

The number of People in Scotland who want Independence from the Rest of the United Kingdom is rising and i think it is just a matter of time before Scotland becomes a Independent Country.

I've never been convinced that Scotland would be economically self-sufficient.

I'm OK with Scotland seperating from England if they want it - but that the moment the majority of Scots don't. That especially includes the polititions, as they would loose all the finantial benefits of being joined with the rest of the UK.

When in Edinburgh you will notice the Union Jack proudly flying next to the Scottish flag. You won't see it anywhere in Ireland and as a matter of fact if you were display it on a piece of clothing you might be asking for some pain of the physical kind. Nuf said. Don

No I dont think so.

I hope not, but carn't do much exept say that we share a past and present. Do you peolpe know how many priministers have been scottish even Browns a scot. You have more power as part of the UK. What would happen to all those scots who just see them selfs as Brittish. Defence?- we would have to take back all the weponds thier and it would be bad for us as a higher percentage of the army is scottish. Economy- We would both be split as we share a economy.

They should follow Quebec's lead and do what they do.

In a word no. Don't get me wrong as a Scot I would like independence but I am also aware of the cons that outweigh the pros. We could not be economical viable. Oil and gas that everyone hopes is ours in not entirely correct. And although Scottish power, Scottish and Southern energy and the Royal bank of Scotland own and get paid a lot from English regions. This would not sustain our population. If we went independent. Tax would actually go up. Why? Because Westminister currently funds our education and health system as a starter for ten. The money has to come from some where.

I fink we shold rebuild hadrians wall twice as high as what it was afore an twice as fick an equip it wiv nuclear distrupter towers, high pressur protein debonding-agent dischargers an offensive graffiti so as they dont get no more ideas about comin down ere to take are wimmin an our jobs and stuff. Yeah, ats wha I fink.

I am all for diversity and decentralisation. I think both Scotland and Wales should ideally be self-governing nations.

Yes. Scotland should become an independant country. We should not be related to England in the slightest, not after everything they have done to us. Go watch braveheart kwam. I want a written apology before i call myself ENGLISH! (Y).! xD Look what Irelands done, they are doing great, so much better now that they are independant, maybe not all of Ireland is free but at least theres some clarity even if it isnt much eh. OH and also (iiii) my mate who is from belfast is totally brainwashed into thinking northern Ireland is the problem but they have only been draw to do that because of how England treated them, go watch the wind that shakes the barley if you dont believe me bitcheeesss. :]

I think this would be the best they could do. Between Scotland and England there is not only a border but between these two countries there are contintents. Scottish people are easy going people, very open minded and extremely sociable. Coming to Scotland you feel welcome where ever you go and people talk to you as if you were their best friend. Their hospitality in the country outside is immense and they are extemely open minded people. Just contrary to the British they never were embarassed by my German accent which I can not hide completely. In England they make vicious jokes if they only hear a German accent. And I never got offended in Scotland as it is in England usual. In the contrary I always felt extremely respected and welcome. A super place for vacations, good beer and whisky.

yes,will happen next election then straight after will abolish pound and trade in euro,this will utimitly destroy the pound and probably bankrupt england

Well it's up to the Scots. I'd be sad to see them and England go their seperate ways as we have achieved a lot together, - defeated the Nazis, Napoleon, spread democracy around the world, built the biggest empire in the world, had the first industrial revolution and a lot of other things and the Scots played a massive role in all of this, it would be sad for UK to come to an end. But one thing that a lot Americans (that have posted on here) don't realise is that nobody is forcing Scotland to be part of the UK, at present they have a nationalist government and will probably have a referendum on independence next year, whether they stay part of the union or go their own way - the destiny of Scotland is in hands of the Scottish people.

i dont. we dont know how to run a country. look at what happened with the parliement and the building. and can you imagine trying to split the forces? it would take decades.

No it shouldn't not until the monarchy falls down Scotland has less right to split from England then Wales or Northern Ireland. Because in 1503 Margaret Tudor eldest daughter of King Henry VII of England and Queen Elizabeth of York married King James IV of Scotland and they had a son. In 1513 King James IV was killed and his son became King James V of Scotland after his brief marriage to the King of France daughter who died he married, Marie de Guise (a French noblewoman) and her only surviving child was a daughter when King James died six days later in 1542 Mary became the internationally famous Mary Queen of Scots. After fourteen years in France and her brief marriage to the French King she returned to Scotland. In 1565 she married Lord Henry Stuart (more commonly known as Lord Darnley) and in June 1566 she gave birth to a son, James after the mysterious death of Lord Darnley and her disastrous marriage to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell which caused in her remaining captive at Lochleven Castle and then fled to England where she conspired to kill her English cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. But after 19 years imprisonment Queen Elizabeth had her tried and reluctantly beheaded her in 1587 in March 1603 Queen Elizabeth I died and King James VI of Scotland (the son of the executed Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley) became King James I of England. After despite the brief time where Oliver Cromwell ruled supreme Scottish and English royal blood runs through the veins of Queen Elizabeth II and her biological family. So no it shouldn't since Queen Elizabeth is a direct descendent of King James I of England.

If the Scots like, they should do it. But I hardly can believe that the Scots could do without their Queen and all the other beautiful traditions. You can not compare the Scots with the Irish people who were now clearly voting for Europe. I don't think that the Scots would feel well in a Europe under the rule of Brussels. They better should deal with their English brothers. I don't think that the Scots are attracted more by Europe as the English.

I have no objections to Scotland being independent, i'm sure they would be fine. I wish they would make their mind up one way or another though, and either stay with us (England and Wales) or sod off and do their own thing LOL.

Aye, Taxi for Scotland!

completely separate? what would be the point? and how would their economy fare? i'm asking, genuinely, 'cause i don't know

I' pretty sure they tried that before

what a load of bull it was a scot who said united we stand divided we fall its alot better for everyone if we are one countrie we are richer bigger srtonger and we have more influence my grandad was scottish and he was married to my english nana he didnt mind being british at the end of the day the way the eu is goin we are all gunna be one countrie soon so whats the point of splitting britain up

Yes Scotland should become independent, I have met very many proud scots but none have been proud enough to actually live there. So perhaps they are living in exile until Scotland is free from the tyrannical grip of England with its Scottish lead Government. Perhaps then, when Scotland is free they will all bugger of back where they came from. England will see a sharp decline in off licences but at least the numbers of down and outs on the streets of our big cities will decrease.