I must say, I haven't been as excited about a vote as I am about this for a long time, maybe ever - and I'm not even British, let alone a Scotsman. And I am both glad and impressed that nearly all
Scots adult residents of Scotland seem to have registered to vote (I read about 97% or something). Given the average voter turnout in elections here is between 70% (federal elections) and below 50% (state and local elections), that gives me hope for democracy in general. Granted, the question of independence is far more decisive and important than anything that is usually decided in elections.
On the other hand, I'm sad about the divide that gone through the Scottish people as a result - reading what GaemeH and captain_70s was kind of sobering.
On the topic of the issue itself - the whole thing seems to be a clusterfuck that has spun out of control. If the media is to be believed, the SNP's idea was to use this independence scheme as a way to gain more powers for the Scottish parliament, but within the nation state of the United Kingdom - but not really become an independent country.
I can understand the motivation, though. London politics are so bad that it's clearly visible even from outside the country, and even more so if you visit it. No offense to anyone here, but the general state of infrastructure and things outside Central London gave me a very "1980s Eastern Bloc" feel... and the reason for that is, to my understanding, that British economic politics only caters to the financial sector. Which is, as we all know by now, evil.
Because of that, I started out as a supporter for Scottish independence: It would very well cause a chain reaction disrupting the UK, the European Union and in extension the whole world on a political and economical level. And I don't like the status quo on any of these levels, so...
Also, the Scots are generally left-leaning, so the SNP's promise of a better, more fair society seems very appealing to me, and I genuinely wish the Scots good luck on their way to achieve that - regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's vote.
But thinking more about it, the great economical risks (building an economy mainly on export of oil and whisky seems... couragous) are not to be denied. And while the following fall-out in rUK, in other European countries with separatist movements (Spain mainly) and the reaction from the EU would certainly drive up my consumption of crackers and Coke*, I'm not longer sure the final outcome would be a good one. But then again, that's fear talking, and I hate the tendency of societies (and myself) to give in to fear.
So by now, I'm don't know how I would vote if I could - but if I lived in Scotland, I had made sure of being better informed than I am now.
So, in one and a half days the results will be out. I'm really curious. However it turns out - all the best to the Scots. Your country is so beautiful, I'd like it to prosper so I can visit again without having to leave my first-world comfort zone.
* It would classically be popcorn and beer, but I don't like those.