Two Girls From Texas in a Car: "BEANNACHD LEIBH" - GOODBYE TO SCOTLAND

These are the three places that I stayed this summer.

I truly loved my experience in Scotland. The people were wonderful and welcoming.

The scenery was incredibly dramatic.

I was told that the weather was the best in 40 years. Not surprisingly, most of the Scotish people have not seen as much of their country as I have. They are very understated about the natural beauty of their country. On their holidays they want to be assured of sunny weather so they seek out islands that have tropical climates.

The castles....

The gardens.....

The Festivals.....

The Royal Mile.....

MUSEUMS.......

FRIENDS VISITING.....

And of course the Pipers......

THE VOTE FOR SCOTLAND'S INDEPENDENCE FROM ENGLAND ON SEPTEMBER 18

This, of course was the biggest topic of discussion during my summer. I found that the common statement was - "if I vote with my heart, I would say YES". However , I found that the over 40 year olds will vote NO, and the under 40 will vote YES. Surprisingly, Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister, granted 16 year olds the right to vote. It will be a one time only for this age group, but they are very pro-independence. Also, the YES's are very vocal. The NO's are afraid to be vocal, because of their fear of sounding unpatriotic. Sound familiar??

The big items on the table have very different outcomes.

NHS - Yes, campaign argues that healt service privatisation in England will eventually lead to less funding from Westminster. And that Scotland stands better alone.

No, Scotland has not demonstrated how it would fund the health spending.

"The Financial Times" feels that the fears of the Yes campaign are overdone.

TRIDENT - The future of the Clyde-based Trident missiles would be one of the most challenging issues. If Scotland voted for independence; moving them would be difficult and expensive.

OIL & GAS- North Sea oil production is declining. Oil reveues are extremely volitile. A share of North Sea resourses would help an independent Scotland, but it is unclear if this would match the benefit from fiscal transfers within the UK.

CURRENCY - Yes- Scots would continue to use the pound and the Bank of England would be the central bank. No - The Conservative,Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have all made clear that the rest of the UK would not agree to share its currency and central bank with a foreign state.

Verdict- A currency union would mean English taxpayers would be on the hook for any failure of Scotland's large financial sector. Edinburgh would have to cede considerable budgetary supervision to London; would that be acceptable to a newly independent country?

Right now the latest poll shows a 52% NO and a 48% YES.....very close......