Scottish independence

The atmosphere around Scotland’s independence vote was electric, and BBC radio host and Scottish native Rhod Sharp says he could feel it all the way from New England, where he watched the referendum and its historic aftermath unfold.

Many supporters of the “Yes” campaign were in tears after a decisive loss in Scotland’s independence vote. But London had to promise a raft of new local powers to keep Scotland in the UK, and those promises may change the nature of the British union for Northern Ireland, Wales and England, too.

Sixteen-year-old James Kane from Oban, Scotland, was undecided until this week on whether to vote for independence for Scotland. He’s not your usual teen. He interviewed leaders of many of Scotland’s political parties before making up his mind. But he is typical in that teens from 16 on up will get to vote in this special referendum on the country’s future.

For separatists in Quebec, a couple of failed tries at an independence referendum have led to what some there call “neverendum.” The Scottish independence movement learned a few key lessons from Canada’s experience. And now Quebec separatists might learn from Scotland if the “Yes” campaign wins on Thursday.

Scotland’s independence referendum takes place next week and the polls show a surprisingly narrow race. In the fishing town of Oban, business owners are divided over whether to gamble the present for a chance that an independent Scotland will be stronger and better.