Ulster Scots

[mogwaiCSC]

Not read that but I would contest that ruling elites (and in this case in particular) act in the interests of the population at large. It certainly benefited them personally. The act of union was deeply unpopular a**** the masses and several popular riots in Edinburgh and Glasgow were put down.

[BertrandRussell]

Well yes but are you suggesting the Scottish populace were well versed in economics and reason at that time?

I would suggest not.

[mogwaiCSC]

Countries all through history have found themselves in difficult economical situations the default position though tends not to surrender your identity as a nation and hand over its power to another nation.

[BertrandRussell]

I think Scotland was unique at the time. We united with England but it was to our own economic advantage and largely on our own terms. That never happened anywhere else.