If Scotland secedes from Britain, parts of Scotland may secede from Scotland

One region of particular significance — not least because it has a lot of oil, oil that the “yes” campaign have built their independence campaign upon — is already considering independence from Scotland. Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland and Scotland Secretary in the current British government told The Guardian that in the event of Scotland voting yes and Shetland voting no, “Shetland may consider becoming a self-governing territory like the Isle of Man rather than stay part of an independent Scotland”.

The “Yes” campaign responded to Carmichael’s comments by claiming that “Scotland’s island communities will have greater control over their local economies, natural environment and be represented at the heart of government in an independent Scotland.” But that might not be satisfactory for communities that vote against independence.