Musket, you make lots of good points. I have said many times that England should have its own parliament and a possible CONfederation would work (as distinct from a federation).

In an interview with the Financial Times published today (3 February), García-Margallo said: "We don't interfere in other countries' internal affairs. If Britain's constitutional order allows – and it seems that it does allow – Scotland to choose independence, we have nothing to say about this."   

They could, of course, use the veto later but this would exclude their fishermen from Scottish waters ... highly unlikely.

There are many opt outs available but I don't see EU members ejecting Scotland from the EU for I numer of reasons. The rUK would also be a new state and would have to renegotiate subsidies which presently apply to the whole of the UK. I am a firm believer in the EU and see a not too distant future when the Euro will be the common currency. It's quite amazing that even after the financial mess we have seen, the Euro is still very strong.

On defence and other matters, if you're interested enough, I suggest you get a copy of the white paper "Scotland's Future".