WHAT THE DIPLOMATS ARE SAYING

Scotland suffered in certain respects after it joined up with England.

When Scotland joined the Union its population was one-fifth of England's.

After 300 years of Union it is now one-tenth of England's.

Scotland likely to choose independence, foreign diplomats believe



Sources in the diplomatic corps in Edinburgh, which has nearly 50 consulates and diplomatic missions, told the Guardian that they think the tide of opinion has shifted against the NO campaign.

One senior diplomat said: "it is now likely, but not certain" that Scotland would vote yes in September 2014.

Another foreign government source said most diplomats did not believe that Scotland's economy would suffer badly after independence.

Scotland likely to choose independence, foreign diplomats believe



The international credit ratings agency Fitch said that in the event of a YES vote the London government would want to make sure independence caused as little disruption as possible to the economy.

It predicted the UK would compromise with Scotland on key economic issues.

Scotland likely to choose independence, foreign diplomats believe