Scottish independence round-up: Nato | Pound

An independent Scotland would be welcomed into Nato even if it ditched Trident, according to a former UK ambassador to the nuclear-based defence alliance.

Dame Mariot Leslie argues that none of the Nato allies would want to interrupt the organisation’s defence arrangements in the North Atlantic and North Sea by excluding Scotland from the defence pact.

Meanwhile, a former European finance chief has warned the prospect of an independent Scotland keeping the pound in a so-called “sterlingisation” set-up would scupper its hopes of getting into the EU.

In other news, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has questioned whether Scottish independence can help solve Scotland’s problems, as he gave his backing to Scotland remaining in the UK.

TODAY’S BEST COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

Every day we highlight some of the most interesting and talked-about articles on the Scottish independence referendum - here are some of today’s best pieces, as featured on our Indyref microsite.

• Michel Kelly-Gagnon: Quebec shows possible economic impact of a ‘neverendum’

Michel Kelly-Gagnon of the Montreal Economic Institute gives his view on the economic and political impact of the Quebec sovereignty movement.

• Jan Vardøen: Independent Scotland can mirror Norway success

An independent Scotland can follow in the footsteps of its Scandinavian neighbours and become a prosperous and successful state, writes Norwegian filmmaker Jan Vardøen.

• Gary Hayes: ‘Yes’ not about how bad Westminster is; it’s about how good Holyrood is

Gary Hayes writes that “the ball is rolling” for major change in Scotland and the UK, with Westminster increasingly distrusted by Scottish voters used to a proportionally-elected Holyrood parliament, in this piece for the New Statesman.

• George Monbiot: Voting ‘No’ to Scottish independence would be an act of self-harm

George Monbiot calls on Scots to vote ‘Yes’ in this month’s referendum to escape “the whims of a distant and uncaring elite” at Westminster, in this piece for The Guardian.

• Professor James Hunter: Highlands rising in referendum debate

James Hunter, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of the Highlands and Islands, gives his reasons for backing a ‘Yes’ vote in this month’s independence referendum in the latest Scotsman referendum essay.

• The Scottish nationalists who think there’s a conspiracy to hide a secret oilfield

Jim Waterson of Buzzfeed visits Airdrie, and meets supporters of Scottish independence who believe a vast untapped oil field off the coast of Scotland is being concealed by the UK Government.

• Gordon Young: I love you too England, but I’ll be voting ‘Yes’

Gordon Young, editor of marketing magazine The Drum, declares his support for Scottish independence in this opinion piece.

Young calls for a “radical shock” to kick Scottish business back into life, and suggests that independence is most likely to deliver change in the sector.

• Tom Hunter: Facts have been in short supply in referendum debate

Entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter assesses the lack of facts on offer from both sides of the Scottish independence debate in this piece for the Daily Record.

• Lang Banks: Scots must stay engaged after vote to build fairer, greener country

The battle over environmental policy will only truly begin after the referendum debate concludes, according to Lang Banks of WWF Scotland.

• Download our free eBook - Scottish Independence: The Issues

Our supplements on some of the key issues in the independence campaign – international affairs, financial affairs, welfare and young people – are now available as a free eBook.

Scottish independence round-up: Nato | Pound | EU