(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
It is a fight for independence Scotland has been waging on and off for centuries.
And now voters in that country will get their say on breaking away from the United Kingdom in a referendum.
Polls show the "Yes" and "No" campaigns are virtually even as the decisive vote over Scotland's future looms.
Darren Mara reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
The Glasgow Philharmonic's rendition of Flower of Scotland is an anthem that honours the victory of the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, over England's Edward the Second at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
The song is a rallying cry for Scottish pride -- and a distinct identity the ruling Scottish National Party has sought to use in the debate over separating from the United Kingdom.
It is an independence referendum on September the 18th that could not only redefine Scotland's place on the island of Great Britain, but also in the world.
This is tug of war at the Highland Games in Perth, in central Scotland, part of a year-round sporting celebration of Scottish culture and heritage.
But even here, in the heart of the country, opinions on independence are moving back and forth.
Spectator Ron Cowie is here to revel in all things Scottish.
"Scots have their own identity. We always have had our own identity. And I think it's what you call, the old saying, 'You've got the fire in the belly.' So we'll always be Scots, but we're part of the United Kingdom. And I think it should stay that way."
Scotland entered into political union with England in 1707 but has maintained a degree of independence in areas such as law, education and religion.
It has helped the Scots safeguard aspects of their unique identity.
In 1997, a referendum handed over more authority to a devolved Scottish Parliament, covering areas of home affairs.
These campaigners on the streets of Glasgow say that has already gone far enough.
The campaign against separation from the United Kingdom has taken on the slogan "Better Together."
The group says the independence referendum is the biggest decision in Scotland's history and remaining part of the UK gives Scotland the best of both worlds.
Better Together spokesman David Whitton says Scotland can retain its unique cultural identity and also have the security of being part of one of the world's biggest economies.
"Scotland has been, and is part of, the most successful union of countries that the world has seen. We are economically and socially linked to our friends and neighbours in the rest of the country. Scotland has had many benefits from being part of the union and continues to have many benefits from being part of the union. Let's not forget public spending is 1,200 pounds per head higher in Scotland as a result of being part of the union. The 'Yes' campaign talks about Scotland being a successful country, one of the richest countries in the world. But we're one of the richest countries in the world because we're part of one of the most successful unions in the world. The two go together."
In the capital Edinburgh, shopkeeper Graham Muir has other ideas.
"We need a divorce big time. Three years ago, there was an election here, and 62 MPs were returned as 'Yes' voters and 58 as 'No' voters. That's a sure sign that Scotland's going independent on September the 18th."
Those in favour of independence say it is about more than just nationalism.
They say the UK parliament at Westminster has too much say over Scottish affairs, including over taxation, welfare and war.
"Yes" campaign spokesman Toni Giugliano points to Scotland's huge oil reserves and says separation can only benefit Scots.
"If the Scottish parliament had the powers over taxation and welfare, we'd be able to redistribute Scotland's immense wealth. We have 60 per cent of the EU's oil production, we have 25 per cent of the EU's wind and tidal wave potential, we have some of the world's top universities, we have a booming life sciences sector and a food and drinks sector, and we've got what it takes to be an independent country. But we need to have the powers in the Scottish parliament to redistribute Scotland's wealth and create a fairer country."
David Cameron's Conservative UK government has sought to counter the argument by pledging Scotland greater tax, spending and welfare powers if it remains in the union.
The "No" campaign also argues independence could jeopardise Scotland's place in the European Union.
And it wonders what portion of the UK national debt might be transferred to Scotland after any separation.
There is also still uncertainty over what currency an independent Scotland would use.
There are fears changing Scotland's currency conditions could introduce too much volatility in its economy and business climate.
"Yet, in 2010, he said it wasn't so much a path of government, it had become a path of the Conservative Party. That's what he said." (Response:) "No, you're being misleading ..."
A recent televised debate pitted the leader of the "Yes" campaign, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, against the poster boy for the "No" movement, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling.
Mr Salmond is widely acknowledged to have won the debate on the day, but not without having to explain his stance on the currency question.
"I know there's other options for Scotland. I mean, we could have a Scottish currency. We could have a flexible currency, like Sweden or Norway does. We could have a fixed rate, a Scottish pound, attached to the pound Sterling. That's what Denmark does with the euro. What I'm seeking a mandate for is to have the pound Sterling, so that we pay our messengers, we pay our mortgage, we get our wages in the pound."
But the three largest UK parties have all ruled out a currency union with an independent Scotland, as pointed out by Alistair Darling.
"The question that was asked was, 'If we don't have a currency union, what's Plan B?' Now, I had no luck three weeks ago when I kept asking him what Plan B is. He either can't say or, more likely, he doesn't think we're going to like the answer."
Both sides of the debate have sought to court the business vote.
In late August, 200 business leaders issued a letter arguing independence would give Scotland greater say over its economy.
That followed an earlier letter from more than 130 companies saying the business case for Scottish independence "has not been made".
Scotland's lucrative whiskey industry has sided with the "No" campaign.
David Frost is the chief executive of Scottish Whiskey.
"I think the main risk for industry, the one that people tend to cite first in the industry, is the international clout. At the moment, we've got a great UK diplomatic network very focused on trade protection, we're a biggish country that can really get access, get influence, help the industry, and that might not be the situation if Scotland were to become independent. So I think that would be the biggest concern for an international industry like us."
Only residents of Scotland can vote in the referendum, but that has not stopped Australia's pro-monarchy Prime Minister Tony Abbott from wading into the debate.
Mr Abbott says Scotland going it alone would not be in the world's best interests.
It prompted this response from Alex Salmond, speaking with the BBC.
"The independence process in Scotland is about freedom and justice, an exemplar, a model, of democratic conduct. And I'm not sure if Mr Abbott's aware of that, but he should familiarise himself with it before he makes what only can be described as offensive remarks to the Scottish people."
Either way, as per the lyrics of another famous Scottish song, Scots will need to be brave as they decide their future.
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