Berkley Center

On September 18, the Scottish people voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom. However, the final tally of votes indicated that Scots were by no means overwhelmingly in support of this decision, which was shown by the fact that 45 percent of votes were in favor of independence. Further analysis revealed that over 70 percent of young people aged 16 to 17 years old voted for a split from the rest of the United Kingdom. As the future of Scotland is in the hands of the younger population of voters, the issue of Scottish independence will most likely come up for a vote again sometime in the future.

Even though Scotland might have not been successful in becoming an independent nation, the Scottish people still came out on top after the vote this past September. As a result of the referendum, Scotland has been promised increased power and authority from Westminster in determining how the United Kingdom as a whole is governed. Scotland has always had significant powers in terms of its own governance. For example, Scotland has a legal system that is separate from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Further, after a referendum passed in 1997, the Scottish Parliament was reconvened and granted substantial devolved powers over issues pertaining to Scotland. Because of the "No" vote this past September, the country will now have more control than even over its finances. Additionally, Scotland will continue to benefit from the taxes collected across the entirety of the United Kingdom. It is likely the issue of independence will be brought up again, but for now, Scots can enjoy substantially increased devolutionary powers.

It might appear as though Scots currently have the best of both worlds; they not only enjoy significant autonomy, but also the benefits of being a part of a strong, prosperous nation such as the United Kingdom. However, many of these people are still hungry for complete autonomy. To outsiders, it may seem like a poor choice to fight for independence when it would bring about so much risk and uncertainty for the nation. However, in order to understand the Scots’ determination to regain their independence, one really has to delve into the country’s history and culture, separate and unique from that of the United Kingdom as a whole.

Before arriving in Edinburgh, my ideas of Scottish culture were simplistic at best. My image of a traditional Scot was someone wearing a kilt, playing the bagpipes, and searching for the Loch Ness Monster in his spare time. These are accessible elements of Scottish culture, yet it seems as though these are incredibly inadequate representations of a complex and multifaceted culture. After spending over a month in Scotland, I have come to the realization that these obvious elements of culture are often exploited for the benefits of tourists alone. Walking through the Edinburgh, it is likely one will see multiple street performers playing bagpipes wearing the traditional Scottish dress, kilt and all, collecting money and posing for photos. This does not in any way diminish the significance of these elements of Scottish culture, yet it highlights the importance of delving more deeply into the true meaning of being Scottish. The Kingdom of Scotland was established in the early Middle Ages and existed as an independent nation for hundreds of years before uniting with England in 1707. As a result, the people of Scotland have a strong national identity and a Scottish pride that is distinct from any feeling of British pride. Before leaving Scotland in December I hope to develop a more meaningful understanding of what Scottish culture is and why Scots are so passionate about their country.