Scottish Independence

[Viking]

How did the Orkneys become part of Scotland?

A dowry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orkney

In 1468 Orkney was pledged by Christian I, in his capacity as king of Norway, as security against the payment of the dowry of his daughter Margaret, betrothed to James III of Scotland. As the money was never paid, the connection with the crown of Scotland has become perpetual.

[Zanza]

I hope Scotland stays in the UK as that increases the chance that the UK stays in the EU.

[Duque de Bragança]

Only vaguely related to the topic, is Sassenach (sp?) the Gaelic pronounciation of Saxon, or does it come from a different root?

I think it's ultimately derived from what ever the Saxons called themselves.  But those things are always complex.  Like the word "YorK" which probably came originally from some gaelic word and was then modified for Latin, then Old English, then Norse, then old English again, then Norman, and finally Modern English.

iirc, the Latinised name fro York is Eburacum.
Aand again iirc (it's been a while since I studied Gallo-Roman settlements) placenames ending on "acum" are usually adapted from celtic and refer to a trading place or market place.
(a few others are Cortoriacum or Kortrijk/Courtrai, Bagacum Nerviorum or Beuken/Bavay, Camaracum or Kamerijk/Cambrai)
Assuming that the information isn't outdated completely of course

I think that's still the general consensus about Celto-Roman toponyms but latinisation happened sometimes much later and straight from Latin, say Leipzig giving Lipsia still in use in Latin languages. Of course, Leipzig does not come from a Celtic language. Some people would use Roman name instead of latinised, to make it clearer.
Eburacum is mentioned in ancient sources indeed.

[mongers]

48 hours to save the Union. 

[KRonn]

48 hours to save the Union. 

Indeed, this is getting kind of scary, eh? The breakup of the UK? 

[mongers]

48 hours to save the Union. 

Indeed, this is getting kind of scary, eh? The breakup of the UK? 

Primary feeling for me is oddness, it'll be very odd if this goes through.

Perhaps a bit like if Washington, Oregon, Idaho and the Dakotas all have a vote on exiting the USA?

[PJL]

I think whatever happens, the UK will never be the same again. At the very least Scotland will get significant new devolved powers, which could cause resentment in England & Wales, and calls for more powers towards the regions and localities.

[Martinus]

I think whatever happens, the UK will never be the same again. At the very least Scotland will get significant new devolved powers, which could cause resentment in England & Wales, and calls for more powers towards the regions and localities.

Yup. The West Lothian question.

[derspiess]

Scotland divided.

Earlier Channel 4 news interviewed the clan chief of MacLaren, one of the oldest clans, he's pro-independence, his wife is adamantly No and they preceded to argue quite strongly on camera.
Of their five children (judging by the surnames from two marriages), two are voting no and three yes, the held similarly strong opinions on the issue.

  I haven't received any guidance from the head of my clan (MacAlpine).  Might need to send that dude an email.

[Berkut]

Prediction: This fails, and it isn't even that close.

I think there is a significant portion of people who answer "Yes" to the question in a poll, but realize that it is actually a pretty idea and vote "No" when it comes right down to it...

[Josquius]

 

There isnt much serious talk about the northern isles leaving (though there is some) but....the numbers for them breaking off and declaring independence make a lot more sense than for Scotland as a whole. And it would be sweet.

They get so much money from the centre and from the EU

I half-hope they embrace their Viking heritage more fully* and try and join Norway

* They're already pretty keen:

I doubt they get more money than they would get from keeping all the oil money for themselves.
It strikes me that the Orkneyites/Shetlanders would be richer than Emiratis in that case.


Good to see. Would be nice if Edinburgh would embrace its Geordie heritage too

[mongers]

Prediction: This fails, and it isn't even that close.

I think there is a significant portion of people who answer "Yes" to the question in a poll, but realize that it is actually a pretty idea and vote "No" when it comes right down to it...

Quoted for posterity.

[Barrister]

Prediction: This fails, and it isn't even that close.

I think there is a significant portion of people who answer "Yes" to the question in a poll, but realize that it is actually a pretty idea and vote "No" when it comes right down to it...

I'm going to predict that it is close.  Very close.

[Berkut]

Prediction: This fails, and it isn't even that close.

I think there is a significant portion of people who answer "Yes" to the question in a poll, but realize that it is actually a pretty idea and vote "No" when it comes right down to it...

Quoted for posterity.

Fair enough. I've been wrong once or twice before...

[mongers]

Prediction: This fails, and it isn't even that close.

I think there is a significant portion of people who answer "Yes" to the question in a poll, but realize that it is actually a pretty idea and vote "No" when it comes right down to it...

Quoted for posterity.

Fair enough. I've been wrong once or twice before...

Oops, I actually meant it both ways, that and I was hoping you pulled one out of the hat and were right.