The polarised comments are intriguing. Yes, independence is just that and, yes, it should be considered forever (although in reality there is no such thing as forever in politics). The "daft wee lassie" has more sense than she was credited with here. Presumably unlike the contributor, she would not entertain the idea of taking herself off to Denmark (with their own currency) to lead them into they light on how they, a nation the same size as Scotland, are a third world country and a joke and better off joining their larger neighbour Germany. Denmark has a longer history as an independent entity than has the United Kingdom. Not only that but in all the lists compiled by OECD, etc. Denmark outperforms the UK, sometimes by a wide margin. The Nordic countries (all but one with its own currency), nations of similar or smaller sizes than Scotland, consistently outperform the UK. The UK is (outside the UK) the joke - any UK national would have to look for the real sentiments of other Europeans because the fog inside the country claims it is "the best", rather like the situation within the USA (and other places too, to be fair).
If life is a race, why run it with a diver's boots on both feet ? On the other hand, the referendum will be a democratic exercise and there are lots of people who are rigid with fear of change, any change - hence, so as to reassure these souls, the desire to keep certain things that have practical value. Those who look at things without prejudice already know that David Cameron, or any other Westminster leader, will not be voted out by voters in Scotland. Personally, if the English will not co-operate over continued use, at least in the near to medium term, of the Pound then I think Scotland should look to another solution. But I don't think English leaders will in the event cause any difficulty, although some are not above making threats to influence the vote. Also, personally, I think Scotland should do away with the military altogether apart from coast and border forces. This is what the majority of countries of Scotland's size have in effect done for decades - their military could never repulse a proper assault. Adventures abroad (Afghanistan, et al) would by definition be completely ruled out.
Scots share, and always will share, a history with the rest of the UK and they took part in and contributed to the conquest and running of a large part of the globe - in the past. The empire is gone and the United Kingdom is just another medium (I didn't say mediocre) country at best. The past will not be erased any more than Scotland will no longer be part of Britain and its people British. But an independent Scotland will be able to choose its way forward and although there are people in England who are deeply miffed, like a snubbed lover, over the prospect, I am convinced that with the separation the relationship between the two countries will actually improve (it is uneasy at present). There are plenty of precedents for such a development, Ireland's independence being the closest to hand.