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Indy's Scots keep eye on independence vote

Bill McCleery
The Indianapolis Star
Hundreds of Yes supporters gather in George Square to show their support for the independence referendum on September 16, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.

INDIANAPOLIS — Known as a fun-loving group, members of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis often trade views on relatively lightweight topics. A recent post on the group's website, for example, explored where to find affordable kilts.

Lately, though, talk has turned to a more serious matter — a vote Thursday in Scotland over whether to withdraw from the United Kingdom.

Recent polls have indicated a neck-and-neck contest between Scots who favor staying part of the U.K. and those wanting to split from the union that also includes the countries of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Indianapolis, many members of the group dedicated to celebrating Scottish heritage are watching with interest. The society lists 105 memberships, some of which are individuals and some of which are families, said Robin Jarrett, the group's president.

"The society has no official position," Jarrett said. "Most of us like to celebrate our Scottish heritage but are from families that have been in America for many generations. I'm not informed enough to go one way or another. I have to stay neutral in it."

In conversations with Scottish citizens, Jarrett has perceived inner turmoil over the issue, he said.

"People born in Scotland, their hearts say yes (to independence), but their heads say, 'Hmm, I don't know.' There would be so many logistics to work out. What currency would they use?"

Many pro-independence Scots have expressed a desire to continue to use the British pound as their currency through an agreement with the Bank of England, but some observers question whether such an agreement would be granted.

Another society member shared the view that independence for Scotland would be difficult.

"We tend to view the question of Scottish independence through an American lens," said Carson Smith, a past president of the society. "But the Scots have made no provision for their own currency, their own defense or for the rejection of their bid for membership in the European Union."

Society member Armand Hayes said he hopes the Scottish people proceed with caution.

"I pray that they think with their minds and not their emotions," he said. "They are not ready for the cost of freedom nor the cost of a new nation."

Another society member, however, took a bolder stance toward the idea of independence.

"Sure, the economics will be complicated," Samuel J. Lawson said. "However, the economics were also complicated for the USA in 1776. Before the revolution loyalists presented some similar arguments that the 'Better Together' people are saying now. Currency was also a complete mess, far worse than Scotland's. There is talk that the threats from Westminster that the Scots won't be allowed to keep the pound are empty threats, that it's in the best interest of the U.K. for a unified currency. Revolutions rarely make economic sense, but this is not why we have revolutions."

Scotland, which now has a population of about 5.3 million people, was an independent nation until 1707 when it entered into the Act of Union with England — a move that created Great Britain.

The British government has said it would negotiate Scotland's departure from the United Kingdom by March 2016 if the independence referendum is approved.

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