the Scottish independence issue
#1981
Dunroaming back in UK
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Expat in Yorkshire now
Posts: 11,274
Re: the Scottish independence issue
I understand that one interpretation of the failure of the Darien Scheme was that the dastardly English kiboshed it by refusing to allow their colonies to trade with Darien, and did so with a view to forcing Scotland into a union.
A different interpretation is that the Scots were daft to even think of establishing a colony there because
a) Darien is extremely inhospitable; even today the Pan-American Highway does not cross the Darien Gap.
b) It was right slap-bang in the middle of Spanish America, and so Spanish hostility did far more to destroy the colony than English. (Note that the English colonies were almost all on the fringes of the areas the Spanish were active in.)
A different interpretation is that the Scots were daft to even think of establishing a colony there because
a) Darien is extremely inhospitable; even today the Pan-American Highway does not cross the Darien Gap.
b) It was right slap-bang in the middle of Spanish America, and so Spanish hostility did far more to destroy the colony than English. (Note that the English colonies were almost all on the fringes of the areas the Spanish were active in.)
I am not sure forcing Scotland into Union came into English consideration, I can't believe they were that forward thinking.
#1982
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Before today I had no idea about Scottish empire ambitions, that there were a number of Scottish colonies in the Americas. The Darien Scheme (in Panama) being the crown jewel, that fell flat on its face, and partly helped towards acceptance of union a few years later. Fascinating all this history. Anyone else know about this, was I alone in my ignorance?
Amongst the great French Voyageur, early trappers, were many Scots with various ambitions.In Canada and early Northern USA terrortories, the North West company, not only French canadians, one could add Scottish Canadians, though French might of been the communicating language.The French had a keen eye on supporting Irish, Scottish interests, just to upset the B.Empires tentacles.
The Darian gap scottish history is quite an amazing but sad story.
My wife and I in the early 80s were going to join an adventure trek group to travel, with thoughts of building up our own adventure travel company,through this wild stretch of swamp and jungle, bordering Panama and Columbia.
Unfortunately armed guerrilla movements became intense, and ransom style kidnapping or attempts were becomming a smallscale norm.Actually put a break on thoughts of any further S.America adventures....Ni modo asi es la vida..
#1983
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Looks like the BBC coverage will streaming on C-SPAN 3, which is good to see! BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
#1984
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Have noodled around on TV listings some more and it looks like BBC World News will also carry the "Scotland Decides" programme from BBC One. Their coverage kicks in a little later, though, at 6pm. So two actual TV choices tonight for watching BBC One without any jiggery pokery required!
#1985
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England
Posts: 1,494
Re: the Scottish independence issue
32 Local Government areas in Scotland all counting and declaring a result individually.......polling ends at 22:00 hrs BST and final outcome officially announced around 06:30 hrs BST (or perhaps more appropriately SST - Scottish Summer Time Friday 19/09/14.)
Today I have been feeling strangely patriotic and a wee bit weepy even though I now live in England, love England and my English mates, and do not have a vote but I feel more strongly about what may happen back home in Scotland far more than I thought I ever would do!
Today I have been feeling strangely patriotic and a wee bit weepy even though I now live in England, love England and my English mates, and do not have a vote but I feel more strongly about what may happen back home in Scotland far more than I thought I ever would do!
Last edited by Lothianlad; Sep 18th 2014 at 4:43 pm.
#1986
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,452
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Didn't I read that, in the event of independence, Westminster will not permit Scotland to use either GMT or BST? They'll have to go half an hour in one direction or the other, like Newfoundland does?
#1987
#1988
Re: the Scottish independence issue
I don't think that's something they can dictate is it? sounds more like one of the stories put around like the one about them having to switch to driving on the right
#1989
Re: the Scottish independence issue
In the immortal words of the greatest manager in english club football,Sir Alex Ferguson:
"Its squeaky bum time"
"Its squeaky bum time"
#1990
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Running live coverage of BBC commentary re: vote count here (it's being simulcast in US on C-span 3):
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
#1991
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Running live coverage of BBC commentary re: vote count here (it's being simulcast in US on C-span 3):
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
#1992
Re: the Scottish independence issue
C-SPAN 3 coverage got off to a shocking start -- took them ten-fifteen minutes to get the audio sorted. But now we're up and running. Also on BBC World News starting at 11.
#1993
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Running live coverage of BBC commentary re: vote count here (it's being simulcast in US on C-span 3):
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
BBC Scottish Independence Referendum Coverage | Video | C-SPAN.org
They really have nothing to talk about right now do they?
#1994
Re: the Scottish independence issue
Twitter is already calling it as a no. Will be interesting to see if they are right.
#1995
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,452
Re: the Scottish independence issue
I would say Westminster CAN do this, out of spite. However, now it's looking like they may not have to? It is inconvenient, being in one of those time zones with a half hour increment.