For many years, Scotland has flirted with the idea of ​​leaving the United Kingdom and setting out on its own to become an independent nation. On the surface, this peaceful secession appears to be a great opportunity for Scotland, but in reality it would be a catastrophic mistake. In 2014, the people of Scotland, through a referendum organized by the Scottish National Party (SNP), will have the choice to become their own nation. Scotland is not ready to become independent from the United Kingdom. This article will prove that secession from the United Kingdom would be detrimental to Scotland. It is better for Scotland to be part of the United Kingdom than to be independent. The United Kingdom is currently the third largest economy in Europe and the seventh largest in the world [1]. The current GDP of the United Kingdom is $2.148 billion, with Scotland's contribution being approximately $152 billion [2]. Even though Scotland is the second largest contributor to the UK's GDP, behind Great Britain, it would face the daunting task of not having the safety net of a strong economy to support it. Some experts argue that this would not bother Scotland given that it contributed 9.6% of UK taxes but only received 9.3% of UK spending in return.[3] . While this is a positive for Scottish independence, it is worth noting that independence would leave Scotland with a heavy debt on its shoulders. According to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, "with a pro rata transfer of existing UK public debt, Scotland would enter independence heavily indebted, with no assurance of fiscal risk sharing or a fiscal transfer mechanism with the rest of the United Kingdom” (NIESR). To repay this debt and its interest, Scotland ...... middle of article ......c and Social Research, (2012). NIESRPublishes research into Scotland's tax and currency choices. London: Stephen, C. (May 3, 2012). Making Scottish independence add up. Market Watch: TheWall Street Journal, p. C5.Gouldie, A. Scottish Government, Scottish National Accounts Publication. (2011). Main economic statistics. Retrieved from website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/EconomyBonney, N. (2012). Scottish independence, state religion and monarchy. ThePolitical Quarterly, 83(2), 360-367. doi:10.1111/j.1467-923X.2012.02290.xKing, C. (2012). The Scottish play: Edinburgh's quest for independence and the future of separatism. Foreign Affairs, 91(5), 113-126. McCrone, D. (2012). Scotland outside the Union? The rise and rise of the nationalist agenda. The Political Quarterly, 83(1), 69-76. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-923X.2012.02262.x