Scottish independence at this point in history is nuttiness.
Note that the independence movement has for years been promoted by the Scottish Nationalist Party, now dominant, which has fascistic and anti-semitic roots. They are not a conservative party.
There are also Welsh nationalists.
The big mistake was Ireland’s breaking away. Together, the British Isles were strong. In fragments, they loose.
The old declaration quoted in this article had some reason behind it, because then the Scots were fighting against a dictatorial monarchy. That is not the case today.
Note also that the article blames a “group of Scottish noblemen” for having given up on Scottish independence. One cannot be blamed for smelling some Marxism in that explanation.
The story is much more complicated. There are religious, and even linguistic components in the history. Check it out! The last big attempt at “independence” was actually a civil war between the more primitive highlanders (Catholic and many speaking Scots Gaellic, a Celtic language) and the lowlanders, who were mostly Protestant, English-speaking, literate, and modernized — and progressing very swiftly economically and even in intellectual fields. The more English spread, and the better the roads, the more closely Scotland was linked to England, and the more successful was the united country.
To slap a border in there now would be crazy. Of course, it may happen. Fortunately, the border won’t get rid of English, and it won’t stop ideas. It may make it harder for workers to find jobs, and it may hurt the economy. Let’s hope that all the residents enjoy the game the nutty nationalists are playing.
Depends on your perspective. Together was really good for England, they got a worldwide empire. Wasn't working out so well for Ireland, which was poor as dirt under the benevolent social practices of the English, who considered the Irish about one step above a dog in the hierarchy of creatures .... actually more likely one step below. They've done pretty well since they shook the Brits loose.