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Will Scotland take flight in UK independence referendum?

The people of Scotland will have the opportunity to vote on the country's independence from the rest of the UK in 2014. But while the decision will inevitably be an emotive one, the financial, business and political ramifications cannot be ignored, and it appears that there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding them.
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Will Scotland take flight in UK independence referendum?

Facing near bankruptcy following an ill-fated attempt to establish itself as global trading power by colonising the Isthmus of Panama in the closing years of the 17th century, the Kingdom of Scotland was left with little choice but to surrender its sovereignty. Accordingly it ratified the Treaty of Union with southern neighbours, England, in 1707, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain. 

What began as something of a hostile takeover quickly developed into an alliance which was truly mutually beneficial. But now, more than 300 years later, many Scots feel going it alone might just be worth another shot. And come 2014, they will have the opportunity to put it to the vote.

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