Many hoped devolution would kill nationalism stone dead, to paraphrase George Robertson 1997 referendum. His Labour colleagues in particular failed to grasp Scots’ powerful sense of nationhood. It was another Labour man, the late Tam Dalyell, who argued that devolution could lead to independence.

At a time when the country's future has topped the agenda in Britain and abroad, this book unpicks the complex weave of Scottish politics, society and culture, providing an essential insight into Scotland's present - and its future.

The deal passed in the Scottish Parliament is the beginning of a quest to make clear some definitions and to lead the country away from constitutional meaninglessness, cruel political comedy and out of the deliberately constructed tragic dead end of devolution. 

The recent Citizens Assembly on the future of Scotland has painted a considered and compelling picture of what an improved democracy in Scotland could look like, including a proposal, supported by 83.5% if its members, to complement the elected Scottish Parliament with a permanent citizens’ assembly (with regular rotation of membership), i.e., to establish a House of Citizens in the Scottish Parliament.