Bagpipes in the Streets

"There are no stars so lovely as Edinburgh street-lamps." 

The hot thing to post about today seems to be the Scottish referendum. You can read some insightful political and economic points of view from my classmates and professor at Scotland and the World, Aye or Naye, and here.

A Proper Scottish day full of mist and rain.

There are many complex issues  and things to say about the Scottish Problem - as the English of another time may have called it. Independence would certainly cause all sorts of economic and political wrinkles- especially in how to build up and national independent infrastructure in such a short time, and where to draw the line. After all if Edinburgh remains tied to London for the benefit of the pound Sterling then what exactly did they win with independence and was it worth the headache- do the Scots want their own defense policy that badly? (I wouldn't be shocked if the answer is yes...) At the same time hundreds if not thousands of years of history make this desire for independence part of the Scottish identity and national pride even in a somewhat lost cause is something I understand as a Southerner. The Scots I've met were proud to be distinctly Scottish.

the view from Arthur's seat overlooking Edinburgh

All that being said, I think my colleagues have done a good job and I'm not really here to give another summary or opinion on the debate. This just seemed an opportune time to display a little of beautiful Scotland (aka shamelessly share pictures from my Scottish adventure).

No matter the economic consequences of the cause for celebration- bagpiping in the street will always be magical. 

Edinburgh Castle in the Mist