Why does scotland want independence?

North Sea oil and gas reserves (or more precisely the tax take from Scotland's share) are vital to the Scottish government's case for independence. Mr Salmond says earmarking a tenth of revenues - about £1bn a year - could form an oil fund similar to the one operated in Norway, creating a £30bn sovereign wealth pot over a generation. read more

Scotland’s population: about 5 million) for the chance to be governed by people with whom they share a deeper cultural affinity. Paradoxically, pro-independence Scots have argued that they will recapture some of the advantages of size by joining the European Union. read more