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.