Whiskey is Scotland's' largest export....and when you leave, you can add another 20% (and maybe even more) to the cost of a bottle.
You now 'export' to England, where we will be adding a further duty and VAT to it...reducing sales...reducing taxes...leading to lower job opportunities...reduced incomes......and then Keynesian economics kicks in....
How you paying for your free school meals, free University and square sausage when the market on your doorstep is no longer there?
As for green energy......
Why would England (or for that fact any other country) pay a higher price for an energy source, when they can make it as well.
Off-shore wind farms....anyone can develop them and become 'self sufficient' rather than paying another country above market value.
We have seen what happens when we are held to ransom with Gas from Russia/Eastern Baltics & Oil from the UAE......it's simple economics.....
At present, the whole of the UK 'invests' in generating energy.....if you left the UK...we want 'OUR' UK funded wind farms back....
O maybe you can buy them off us.
Good luck trying to raise £2billion in taxes or adding debt.....As Lost says, you could get the Chinese to fund it for a few military bases....
The lesson of Brexit means that all the negotiation should be done prior to any referendum so that everyone knows what they are voting for.
There's no reason to think the UK would be vindictive to Scotland but, equally, there could be no free rides and the Scots would be expected to take on their share of the post-Covid national debt as well as accept UK taking security on various assets in case the Scots subsequently defaulted (which is unthinkable for the UK but possible for a smaller Scotland).
There's also the question of defence. Currently the only deep water harbour for nuclear submarines is on the Clyde as the South Coast is too populated and I believe Barrow would have to be dredged to allow permanent access. The waters north of Scotland are strategically important and it's not credible that NATO would sit back and allow some token inshore Scottish Navy to be responsible for that area. So the reality is there would have to be UK Crown bases in Scotland similar to Cyprus irrespective of whether SNP voters want Trident or not.
As for borders and the EU... I have no doubt Brussels would welcome Scotland with open arms irrespective of Spain's objections for no other reason then to stick the blame on Brexit even though Scottish independence pre-dates the UK joining the EU. But the Scots would have a struggle to maintain their existing borders as well. It's highly likely the Orkneys and Shetlands would jump ship especially if London made them a financial offer they couldn't refuse and that would affect Scottish maritime territory and, inevitably, any income from North Sea oil.
I have no problem with the concept of Scottish independence (or Irish unification) but it has to be done rationally and, if the Nats lose the next one, that has to be the end of it for a long, long time.
There wouldn't be a UK if Scotland gained independence.