Berkley Center

By the time you read this, all of the votes will be counted and Scotland might once again become an independent country, ending a union with England that has persisted for more than 300 years. As I am writing, the polls are all closing. Tonight, while most Scots are asleep, a frenzy of activity will be underway as ballot boxes are transported to counting centers throughout the country and millions of votes are tallied. In the weeks leading up to the vote, there has been a palpable hum of excitement and anticipation that could be felt throughout the streets of Edinburgh. It is the kind of excitement that only arises from being part of history in the making.

The independence movement in Scotland might be defined as a revolution according to the definition of the word; however, aside from the literal meaning of revolution, its connotations do not seem to fit the mood in Edinburgh. Instead of experiencing any hint of rioting, violence, or bloodshed as I walk down the street, I have encountered only the most subtle representations of the divide in Scotland between those on opposing sides of the Scottish Independence Referendum debate. There might be a sign in a window here and there, or someone handing out pamphlets in support of his or her position on the referendum, yet on some days it can be easy to forget that this vote could be a historic moment in Scottish history. Despite the peaceful nature of the revolution, emotions were most certainly running high as the vote approached. Most recent opinion polls show that the vote is too close to call, especially because of the fact that a large number of voters remain undecided up until the last minute.

This independence debate is multi-faceted, and its complexities are difficult to fully understand as there are cultural, economic, and political components. There has always been a strong sense of Scottish pride and cultural distinctiveness that separates Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom. Despite a universal pride for Scotland, Scots are still divided on whether or not the country is economically strong enough to not only survive, but thrive as an independent nation. Further, widely varied estimates regarding the exact amount of gas and oil reserves present in the North Sea are problematic because oil revenue plays a large role in the Scottish economy. The independence movement is shrouded in ambiguity not only with regard to oil reserves, but also concerning which currency an independent Scotland would use and whether or not the new country would automatically become a member of the European Union. However, despite the uncertainty that would come along with independence, many Scots feel as though the current disconnect between Scottish political beliefs and those of the parliament of the United Kingdom as a whole can only be solved by complete Scottish autonomy.

No matter what the final result of the vote is, the outcome will have severe implications for Scotland. The uncertainties that would arise as the result of a “Yes” vote will unquestionably have economic and political implications for Scotland. On the other hand, a “No” vote would leave millions frustrated with Westminster’s continued power over Scotland.