In the run-up to the referendum, Scotland’s independence movement became an important point of reference for Catalans and Basques in Spain, the Flemish in Belgium, the Veneto and South Tyrol regions in Italy, Corsicans and Bretons in France, and the secessionists of Quebec. All hoped that Scotland would pave the way for the peaceful breakup of their own states.
在通往公投的过程中，苏格兰独立运动成为西班牙加泰罗尼亚人和巴斯克人、比利时弗朗芒人、意大利威尼托（Veneto）和南蒂罗尔（South Tyrol）地区、法国科西嘉人和布列塔尼人以及魁北克分裂分子的重要参照点。他们无不希望苏格兰能为他们自身的建国开辟一条和平分裂之路。