£5.5bn a year according to the Whisky Industries current estimates, and it's seen as more productive than the energy sector.No, first if it happened it wouldn’t be all the oil, then Scotland is in a position to become a world leader is renewable energy, it ‘s already exporting renewable energy and will fairly soon be 100% self sufficient in renewable.
As a side thing you’d be surprised how much whisky is worth to the economy far more than gin, something like two thirds of the countries spirit economic contribution is whisky and is top of the UK s food and drink exports.
Most of "Scotland's Oil" is in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, which are and would still be part of the UK should Scotland vote to leave
I understand all that. I really don’t need a lecture in Scottish history from you. Your first quote states it as fact. I simply corrected that.I never said it was a done deal; I pointed out that both Shetland and Orkney are not in favour of Scottish Independence and have the right to secession as it's a democratic right, which they would exercise in favour of rejoining the UK or being self governing as a British Overseas Territory. This was pointed out at the time of the Indyref and Yessers pooh-pooh'd the idea.
Shetland was originally Norwegian before opting to join Scotland. Then Scotland joined with England and became British. Saying that once Scotland leaves, Shetland and Orkney have no choice but to leave with them is like the UK claiming the Isle of Man is theirs. They aren't "Scottish" they are "Part of Scotland", just as Scotland isn't "part of England", it's part of the UK; it's the exact same argument Sturgeon and the SNP are making about being forced out of the EU against their will by the rest of the UK and want a vote of independence.
Shetland and Orkney, if their people decree it, WILL demand a secession referendum, which would win. You've misunderstood the point being made. Shetland and Orkney are not interested in Scottish Independence and would remain in the UK if given the choice and they will demand that choice is given.
The oil is also NOT SCOTLAND'S but theirs.
What point are you making? I’m simply documenting current fact.Do you mean like when Scotland and N.Ireland voted to stay in the EU but had to leave anyway? Or at least until it was convenient for Westminster to force N. Ireland to half stay in at least.
As the EU wisely points out - like the UK is not Canada or Australia, Scotland is not Norway (well not since the 5th century anyway)Norway would be the best bet. They have a $1 trillion sovereign fund built via oil. A stable, functioning relationship with the EU. Top of the happiest people on earth index. Great fjords. What’s not to like?
Just simply reflecting facts as they stand rather than speculation and opinion. Maybe it will catch on.Its interesting how these arguments develop as the majority of opinions are just shared around by us all and used when it suits ;-)
Yet you said nothing when someone said that the oil was in Scotland's territorial waters as being inaccurate. Odd.I understand all that. I really don’t need a lecture in Scottish history from you. Your first quote states it as fact. I simply corrected that.
Stating that Shetland and Orkney will ask to seceed from Scotland in the event of independence is an "opinion"?Just simply reflecting facts as they stand rather than speculation and opinion. Maybe it will catch on.
Scots and Norwegians still drink themeselves silly every weekend. Blood brothers in alcohol!As the EU wisely points out - like the UK is not Canada or Australia, Scotland is not Norway (well not since the 5th century anyway)
£5.5bn a year according to the Whisky Industries current estimates, and it's seen as more productive than the energy sector.
Not filling me with confidence.
Not really.Yet you said nothing when someone said that the oil was in Scotland's territorial waters as being inaccurate. Odd.