Queen Elizabeth’s death reignites debate over Scotland independence
- The symbolism of Queen Elizabeth’s last journey is heavy for Scotland – a nation with deep royal links
- There is also a strong independence movement intent on severing the centuries-old union with the United Kingdom
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Queen Elizabeth’s coffin travels through Scotland on ‘last great journey’
Queen Elizabeth’s death in Scotland indelibly associates the nation with the handover to a new monarch, but her passing also reignites the debate over Scottish independence from the UK.
But there is a strong vein of republicanism in Scotland, and a few heckles could be heard amid the crowds massed along the Royal Mile.
One 22-year-old woman was detained for a breach of the peace for holding a placard with an obscene antimonarchy slogan just before the proclamation, while there was also some booing.
For some in the crowd, Elizabeth – and her son King Charles – represent the strength of the United Kingdom of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
She was “one of the things that held (the UK) together”, noted Archie Nicol, 67, who had earlier paid his respects at the royal Balmoral estate where the queen died Thursday.