There is no guarantee that younger Scots who support independence will continue to do so later in life.

My Catholic secondary school in central Scotland was typical of its time. It was full of Celtic-daft, testosterone-filled boys who were caught up in the half-understood struggle for a united Ireland. The IRA, then still setting off its bombs in British city centres, was talked of as a romantic and glamorous organisation. Jotters had edgy slogans scribbled across them, including the notorious Tiocfaidh ár lá, “our day will come”. Teachers would demand the offending words be covered up with fresh sheets of wrapping paper or offcuts of wallpaper.

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