Would an independent Scotland go same way as Ireland and Iceland?

[inkyfingers]

No one's saying whether Scotland can afford to be out of the Union. I know those 2 countries have had huge ££ problems already, but the UK gov owns RBS and Scots would have to buy it back? Is North Sea oil going to be a big enough wealth creator? Most small EU countries are struggling ATM.

I used be proud to be Scottish and British: I spent my year in France explaining "je ne suis pas anglaise - je suis ecossaise ou britannique" because they saw English speaking as synonymous with English.

I'd even have voted against Independence in the vote in 1979. However, it took place c.3 weeks before my 18th birthday, so I couldn't vote - even though my name was on the register and therefore counted as a "No" vote

However, that was 30 years ago. Times change.

I think what Salmond has done over the last 4 years is give people the confidence that we are capable of running our own affairs. I even know Tory voters who have voted SNP this time around because they are impressed with how Salmond has managed the task of government - especially the delicate balancing act of a minority government.

His new "delicate" task will be maintaining that consensus in a majoirty government.

If the no campaign is run by the tories then people will vote yes just to object to them. That could backfire spectacularly. If the no campaign is to win the top labour mps need to get their arses back to scotland, reinvigourate the scottish labour party and lead the anti-independence campaign.

But, as a patriot, i hope they dont.

Noticed this Q&A from the BBC which sets out to answer questions about how the referendum would be conducted.

Also this and this about Westminster's position.

Oil firms are still investing million because there is still 20 years of oil left in the North Sea!

I suspect the 'no oil left' rumours are being quietly circulated by oil companies so they can charge more. Also I don't think independence would be in their favour.