Dubai: Despite living thousands of miles away, Scottish expatriates in the UAE are keeping a close eye on political developments in their homeland amid intense debate over the timing of a referendum on full independence from the UK.
An estimated 20,000 Scots have swapped the rainy, green pastures of Caledonia for the sun and sand of the emirates, primarily Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but most retain close links with home and have strong views on the potential break-up of the Union.
"This is a hot topic and one I am a little torn on," said Julie McCombe, a 30-year-old marketing and sales manager originally from Glasgow. "I feel the UK government often acts in the interests of England and independence would allow Scotland full control over national and international affairs. However, I also think we would be worse off with less global standing. I am Scottish first and foremost but I am also proud to be British," she added.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond are at loggerheads over several issues related to the referendum. For example, under the Scottish Government's current plans, expat Scots will not be entitled to vote.
"I am nominally against Scottish independence because, while my belief that Scotland would be worse off economically is only suspicion, there have been few coherent arguments from separatists other than ‘the oil is ours'," said Richard Hiddleston, a 28-year-old bar manager originally from Edinburgh. "I feel that many of those pushing for independence base their national pride on a dislike for England as much as for a love of Scotland," he added.
Dawn Paterson, a 27-year-old teacher from Aberdeen, says she does not see much point in Scotland becoming completely detached from the UK as it already has its own education and legal systems.
"I like that we are part of the United Kingdom, which is a strong and powerful nation, and I feel Scotland would weaken itself by becoming independent," she said.
