Burns Night and Scottish Independence

Tonight is Burns Night and the BBC has put together a list of Best Burns Nights around the UK:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120123-best-burns-nights-around-the-uk
The Scottish people will be eating the traditional meal of haggis (sheep stomach stuffed with offal, oatmeal, spices); neeps (turnips); and tatties (potatoes) as shown below:

Photo of haggis, neeps, & tatties : BBC 

And as a referendum on Scottish independence looms, here is a BBC article on the American perspective:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16537073

Photo from Braveheart movie

Here is a Scottish ex-pat perspective:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16678993

According to Chris Scullion (pictured below) living in London has made him prouder to be a Scot. "Political and economic arguments aside, I feel Scotland (and northern parts of England) have a character, charm and friendliness that is sorely lacking in London and I feel the presence of these regions is important to the overall mood of the nation in a time when spirits may be low."

Photo of Chris Scullion on BBC website

As an ex-pat northerner myself, I couldn't agree more!