[the scotsman]

Utter crap.

And I say that as a staunch British Unionist who wishes Scotland to remain IN the UK...

Scotland COULD go it alone, the question is whether it would be better off alone or as part of the UK.To suggest it would be some dirtpoor country is utter bilge.

Have you actually ever been here?....

Scotland does and would have large natural resources,added to its manufacturing and business infrastructure.And independent Scotland would do well,however I and many believe that it better off using those resources as part of the greater UK/British state.

And I will treat the ‘quality Scots’ remark with the utter contempt such an idiotic remark deserves...

[Starwolf]

Scotland is a resource sink for the UK and has been for some time. Without significant change it would have deficit as a nation. Its been run by the leftist ideologues for some time to its serious detriment. I can not see how any thinking person could support the local councils and those who are on them, thus my comment about quality Scots having saught refuge over the seas

I lived there while earning an advanced degree, visit regularly and have extensive family there. So yes, you can say I have been there.

As I stated earlier, under the EU the concept of national sovereignty is being seriously eroded, and independence will matter little in practical terms. However, I would greatly doubt that the EU would recognize an independent Scotland since it would be seen as another UK vote on the council.

I will admit that my Zimbabwe analogy was hyperbole.