Alba Gu Brath

I have been thinking a lot about something that will not change my life one particle. Regardless of the outcome, regardless of the future it won't make my life any better or worse. So why am I thinking about it so much?

Scotland has made its choice. As I write this the ballots have all been cast but the results are unknown. I really do not know what the right choice is. My head says "No", the financial devastation caused by Scotland seperating from Britian would probably pretty substantial. Some might argue that Scotland being part of Britian caused a lot of economic hardship over the years. I am not an expert on the long, storied relationship between Scotland and England. I do know that a  lot would have to be sorted out. Things like currencies, political and trade agreements involving Scotland would all have to be sorted out. Many would argue that the welfare, education and systems in modern day Scotland are all largely in part due to English influence. One might argue that things like industrialization and religious fragmentation would have happened anyway. 

My heart says something completely different than my head. It throws all of what we talked about out the window. The thought of an independant Scotland is one that is not all that hard to imagine. It would be the second country born in Europe since the flourish of new countries that were a result of a post Cold War breakup. Serbia in 2006 being the first by my counting. Many of us can also remember a post WW2 fractured Germany, not nearly as many a united Germany from almost 70 years ago. No one can remember Scotland as a true country. Maybe my roots are showing. The Elliott clan came to Canada in the 1800's. Many Scots came here to seek out a better life. A life made difficult by English, anti Scottish policies and practices. Scotland united with England largely due to trade embargoes and the threat of invasion. 

Excuse me, I should stop here. This has nothing to do with me. It is really none of my business. My blood has been stirring for days and I have no explanation for it. It is enough to make an armchair revolutionary out of me. I am sure that my Border Reiver ancestors would approve.  Where is my kilt? Do I even have a kilt? I do have scotch. Really good scotch. Tonight I will toast the future of Scotland, regardless the outcome. Slainte gu soirraidh. Alba gu brath.