Influence of the British imperial statehood on the Scottish national identity: to the question of independence of Scotland

The article examines the process of civilizational changes in the UK in conditions of building an imperial statehood. The author analyzes the peculiarities of the Scottish national identity in the context of the Scottish participation in the construction of the British Empire. The author shares the opinion of those researchers who believe that the military and administrative successes of the Scots within the Empire were the main driving forces of British national integration, as well as of the formation of the Scottish national identity. The article points out that the imperial statehood could become the founder of a nationwide British identity, without conflict with the Scots national and national identity model. In other words, the two identities (Scottish and British) are not opposites in themselves, rather they developed simultaneously, and history showed that they could be both relevant. On this base, the author argues that Scottish identity is not necessary argument for those forces that are fighting today for Scotland's national self-determination.