Abstract: This article examines the referendum that was held on September 18, 2014 in Scotland. The referendum asked a simple question, “Should Scotland be an independent country.” Although the No vote prevailed, pro-independence support reached its highest point in recent history. The outcome of the referendum is examined in relation to the politics of identity. In particular, the decline in British identifi cation among some parts of the electorate. Voters with a strong Scottish identity and weak British identity were significantly more likely to support independence. However, voting patterns were also substantively shaped by economic factors.

Keywords: Nationalism, Identity politics, Scottish referendum, SNP, UK constitution