Scotland - What are the arguments for and against Scottish independence?

What are the arguments for and against Scottish independence?

Looking at their website, the SNP seem to say things like: Scottish independence will lead to better schools and hospitals, etc. But why? Why does it folllow that one thing will lead to the other? What do nationalists believe the economic benefits will be? One can't escape the feeling that the real argument they're putting to people is "we want to be independent because we really really hate the English. Lots and lots." Surely there must be more to it than that!

The other side aren't that much better. They do things like point out that North sea oil will only last 40 years. That's not an argument for the union, that's just pointing out that one of the arguments for independence is a bit weak. Again, it all sounds a bit like they're saying "we're Scottish, but we're British. Born British, live British, die British. QED."

So, in a nutshell, what are the actual pros and cons?

Thanks in advance for your answers.
Thanks to all for the answers so far! To put my question in context, I've lived in Scotland for nearly 20 years, since the age of 9. Put it like this, my kilt is in Welsh National tartan!

I think the reason I'm asking this is because, although I generally consider myself reasonably politically aware, I am shamefully ignorant of the arguments on either side of the independence argument, so I'm trying to find out more about this.

Personally (and I accept that this is probably to do with the fact I wasn't born here) I am not swayed by the historical angle, though I accept that it is valid for many. Patriotism and sovereignty don't have a great deal of hold over me. As far as I'm concerned, it makes very little difference whether one is governed from Holyrood, Westminster, or even Brussels. Wherever they sit, you end up with the same parcel of rogues. Just because the national government presides over a tenth of the population doesn't mean democracy is any less illusory.
What does interest me is the tangible benefits of independence. Will I/we be better off?

tartanbeastie: thank you for posting the article that addresses the economics involved. However, having looked at the figures therein, I am a little confused. Mr U'Aislainn states that Scotland receives around £12bn from the UK treasury under the Barnet Formula. However, according to the Scottish Executive website, public spending in Scotland during 1998-1999 was around £33.1bn, or 9.9% of the UK total.

Source: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/158623/0043027.pdf (this is the report for 1999-2000, but see page 55 for historical figures.)

I would be interested to hear Mr. U'Aislainn's comments on this, but unfortunately, when I found his article at http://www.alba.org.uk/scotching/biglie.html, I couldn't find an email address or any other way to submit comments.

Public Comments

im scottish and i dont have a clue either, what's the big deal nothing gonna change, is it ??
Great Question. I am British first and Scottish second and am proud to be both. It all seems a bit unclear as to the benefits but my feelings are that the union works for both the Scots and the Eng's. I fear that the constant going on about being independent is just what they call up here as wee man syndrome.
The UK is the result of an armed occupation of other states - it was imposed on Wales, Scotland and Ireland (now only N. Ireland) hundreds of years ago by English kings through a combination of bribery and force.

Right, enough of the history lesson, but it's the background to the whole devolution thing. A certain segment of Scots have never got over the acts of the English (and we were really not very nice to them) and don't see why they should contribute to the Crown in the form of taxes. Their point is that Scottish taxes should be spent in Scotland, by the Scots. To facilitate this, a Scottish parliament / assembly would be needed, able to operate autonomously from the English. It's a fair point, I suppose. After all, what do the losers in Westminster know about Scotland, hundreds of miles away? Do they even care?

I personally support the idea. However, I don't see why Scotland couldn't remain part of the UK, yet self govern on a local level.
All the promises are based on oil revenue but that is going to have to be defended. Are we going to hire the Royal Navy?
It's not a question of hating the English, or of North Sea oil. The fact is that Scotland became part of a 'united kingdom' against the will of the Scottish people. The aristocrats who ran Scotland were bribed and coerced into giving up its independence, made easier by the fact that both countries were saddled with the same monarch.

To see how Scotland would fare as an independent nation we have only to look at the success of other small nations which have freed themselves from the rule of bigger ones, for example Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Lithuania ... if they can do it, so can we! And while we're at it, we should shake off the monarchy, which we neither need nor want. Our Head of State should be elected by our Parliament as someone to represent Scotland's interests but (like the Presiding Officer, or the Speaker of the House of Commons) laying aside party loyalties.
There is only one argument for independence FREEDOM when the people of Scotland look deep within themselves and find self belief, self rule will follow naturally. Scottish people are a proud nation and respected all over the world since time began, they have a track record second to none for their inventions and achievements to date, why the big deal in giving such a teeny weeny country back to its people anyway, is it the fear that they may rise to be that NATION again . The truth is we only want back what is rightfully ours and are prepared to follow the democratic route to achieve independence , How time changes things EH ! as for its economic growth don't concern yourselves to much we are more than happy to trade with anyone including the English ,more so nowadays as there is no escaping the fact that Scotland will get there independence, when ? that's up to them i am proud to say, as for the arguments against independence there isn't one in my opinion and even i nowadays am entitled to that, Democracy why didn't we think of that before
I am English and don't think anyone here has a problem with Scotland being completely independent from us. You really need to stop harping on about what happened hundreds of years ago and look to your future. I don't know why a lot of you hate us English, after all, everyone involved in the history given above died hundreds of years ago.

I don't think half measures work though, and if you are independent you must take back all your MPs and Cabinet Ministers that are Scottish - eg Gordon Brown.

Good luck to you anyway - Scotland is a great country with great people and I hope you can just realise that this Scottish/English feud is all one way!
This probably says it all really...

"For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor for riches, nor for honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

From the Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
<<One can't escape the feeling that the real argument they're putting to people is "we want to be independent because we really really hate the English. Lots and lots." Surely there must be more to it than that!>>

Hang on a minute, I voted SNP & I certainly didn't do that because I hated the English & NOWHERE in their manifesto is there anything saying they hate the English either.

The best reason for independence is to get freedom from idiots like you that make such ridiculous & frankly scurrilous remarks.

Yes, there is a lot more to it than that. I suggest instead of Swallowing "New Labour - Old Tory" lies you do a bit more research on the subject first.
They are a culturally distinct group of people, and they deserve their independence. I support such secession movements, and think that people-groups, such as the Scottish and others, deserve the right of self determination.
Long Live

Sir William, Wales