In reply to PeterM:
> (In reply to Shani)
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> But we always have had....so where, or, more importantly, why would business and investment now go up when, in addition to the above, we may have just isolated ourselves from our neighbours and their markets? Of course if they only do business and exist in Scotland, it might just work
The worlds oil & gas resources are located in increasingly unstable geographical areas. Those resources in stable areas are located in increasingly hostile environments (such as West of Shetland oil). Thus wind, wave, tidal and hydro become increasingly attractive. Technology is also improving all the time.
I think phrases like "isolated ourselves from our neighbours and their markets" are fear-driven. This is understandable, but we manage to trade and collaborate with plenty of neighbours both in and out of the EU and much further afield.
Heck, we built a plane with the French (who are historical allies of the Scots), who are a boat-ride away....and as I recall, that plane was pretty good.