Scottish referendum: Some divorces are meant to happen – this one wasn’t

And now there are so many positives to draw

NO ballots are stacked on a table during the Scottish independence referendum count at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh

It has had all the hallmarks of ‘the Scottish play’. Passion, ambition (possibly tipping into hubris), realpolitik … and the man who would be king. And as a Scot who lives and works in London but whose veins bleed tartan, I have over the last two years watched with growing trepidation as this Shakespearean drama has unfolded.

Couples don’t decide to divorce because of the economics of their dodgy marriage. They split up because they don’t love each other any more. Alex Salmond has been totally misguided in pushing for that divorce. But he is, without doubt, a brilliant leader/orator. He has shown commitment and an unwavering vision for the future of Scotland without the English.

The proof is in the haggis. More than 3.6 million of the 4.3 million people (sadly not me) eligible to vote have made their views clear with an 85 per cent turnout - one of the highest in British general election history. Bring out The Guinness Book of Records!

Much has been made - and not entirely approvingly - of the fact that 16-year-olds were able to vote. The sight of young people casting their ballot in school uniform may be unusual but it shows a rare level of commitment in the young. Are these the same kids who we criticise for being apathetic - interested only in computer games and hanging about on street corners? Ironically many of them will still be too young to vote in the General Election next May - should they even be interested.

The message coming from Westminster has stood in stark contrast to Salmond's clarity and drive. From the original daft decision to allow one section of the population to decide on an issue which was bound to impact on us all, to the frantic trips north and rapidly formulated coalition speak of recent weeks, there hasn't been a lot of leadership on show. Praise be for Gordon Brown who emerged as an 11-hour hero and reclaimed the Scottish flag for the No voters.

The last few weeks have seen an avalanche of media interest in the referendum, totally overshadowing everything else that's going on. What better moment then for the Royal & Ancient - St Andrews' world-famous golf club - to mount its own referendum, and after 26O years of a strict men-only policy, finally vote to admit women.

Two quite different decisions and two brilliant outcomes. Both on my home turf. I call that a hit.

Dotti Irving is CEO of Four Colman Getty