The old battlefields where Englishmen and Scotsmen once shed each other’s blood are a reminder of historic enmities in the border region. But with a year to go before Scotland votes on independence, enthusiasm for a break between the two countries is hard to find in its towns and farming communities. The 154-kilometre border cuts across mainland Britain from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, through an area that was fought over and the scene of cross-border raids for centuries. The apparent lack of support for independence, gauged by coversations with borderers, suggests Scots here will not be swayed by old rivalries – something that the ‘Yes’ campaign has tried to capitalise on. “I think it’s introducing one level of uncertainty that we do not require at this time,” said Stephen Rendle, managing director of a tweed and cashmere mill in the Scottish Borders town of Hawick. “Everybody I know feels Scottish enough, the identity of our company is Scottish enough, it’s not going to be enhanced. And we only see it as an additional cost coming.” timesofmalta/articles/view/20130930/world/Enthusiasm-for-Scotland-s-independence-is-lacking.488403
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 08:32:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015