STIRLING, Scotland — In this green swath of Scotland, you can stay at the King Robert Hotel, eat at Bruce’s Bistro and drink in the William Wallace pub — all named for leaders who fought the English here 700 years ago.
For centuries, Scotland was an independent kingdom, warding off English invaders in a series of bloody battles, but in 1707 the two united in a single country — Great Britain — that shares a monarch, a currency and a London-based government.
Now a more peaceful, modern movement thinks its goal of regaining Scotland’s independence is finally in sight.
Last week, Scottish authorities announced they will hold a referendum on independence in 2014, firing the starting pistol on a contest that could end with the breakup of Britain.
Many people around here can’t wait.
“This is a wonderful time, an exciting time,” said Gillian Leathley-Gibb, who runs a gift shop selling scarves, shawls and all things tartan in Stirling, a sturdy little city dominated by a castle that was repeatedly fought over by Scottish and English armies. “We went into a marriage with them over the border. Now it’s time for a divorce.”
Scotland’s history has been entwined with that of its southern neighbor for millennia, with Scots often bridling at London’s central role in their affairs.
Though the two countries have shared a government for more than 300 years — and the last two British prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, are Scots — centuries-old tales of English brutality and Scottish resistance still have strong emotional resonance. Every Scottish schoolchild learns about Bannockburn, a couple of miles from Stirling, where Scottish King Robert the Bruce defeated an invading English army in 1314, winning Scotland its temporary independence.
Scots gained significant autonomy in 1997 after a vote to set up an Edinburgh-based legislature with substantial powers.
Last year, the separatist Scottish National Party won a majority in the assembly, with the promise of a referendum on full independence.
British Prime Minister David Cameron raised the stakes last week, declaring that only the British government had the power to grant a legally binding vote. He said he was willing to do so, as long as the ballot met certain conditions, including a simple yes-or-no question and an early voting date.
Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, responded by saying Scotland would make its own decisions, accusing Cameron of trying to “trample over Scotland with his size 10 boots.” And he set a date for the referendum: the fall of 2014.
Together and apart
In 1707, England and Scotland united in a single country — Great Britain — that shares a monarch, a currency and a London-based government. But Scotland has retained distinct educational, religious and legal systems and a vibrant intellectual culture that produced Enlightenment thinkers including economist Adam Smith and philosopher David Hume.
