Establishing its own foreign policy will be one of the most important tasks facing an independent Scotland after a Yes vote.

There are indications that the EU would welcome an application from an independent Scotland. Full membership of the EU may take up to a decade to complete. As a new member state, Scotland would probably have to take on the normal obligations, which may include the use of the Euro.  A hard border with England would be the consequence of EU membership.  Even a looser relationship, similar to Norway, with the EU would require a customs border with England.

Gethins looks at Scotland's foreign policy to better inform the debate about the country's future and its relationships with its neighbours near and far.