Exit Salmond stage left, threatening a repeat performance. To his last, a political child - as are most in that country. "Now we can hold Westminster's feet to the fire" - really? When you never bothered to check if Gordon Brown, who made the promise you want ot hold the UK to, had the authority to do so? It's called Due Diligence, and is of the essence of all management.
In point of fact, it's not that which lost the case: it's his utter incompetence in preparing a case. When Tony Blair became PM back in 1997, he had had his shadow team working with their ministries for years before hand, they were up to speed. If you want to make a case in politics, it must be watertight. His wasn't, and he's paid the bill: few other than a few diehard Braveheart mediaevalists will miss him.