Edinburgh 18-9

An Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman met on a train bound for the end of the United Kingdom. Not even out of London and the politics began.

“Have you brought your passport?” The Englishman was teased.

Later when he had lost his ticket, we said he was lucky there were no border guards on the train. He was sure of a no vote, the others less so, but we were all united in a desire to be where the action was.

“I want to wake up in the world’s newest democracy,” the Irishman said.

“No politics please,” said the two middle aged Scotswomen across the table. Then they talked politics all the way to Scotland.

Edinburgh was buzzing with Yes and No campaigners, but more surprisingly also Basques, Catalans, the Welsh -all the aspirant peoples of Europe. A good natured crowd of both Yes and No supporters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament, partying into the night.

For me, doubly exiled, it is a privilege to be here- where geography and history meet- whatever the outcome.