So, we bottled it. I use the term advisedly."Bottled It".
Over the course of the referendum debate, I never heard - not once - a single disagreement with the vision itself. The vision being: the birth of a new country with social justice at its heart; a written constitution enshrining the rights of its citizens; a responsive, dynamic economy and world-class public healthcare underpinning its population. Having control of the complete range of our natural resources - yes, with oil and gas providing the breathing space - to pay the way to get there within a reasonable timeframe.
Who disagreed with this? Anyone ? I met no-one who did. The disagreement was solely about whether or not it was achievable. Whether or not we were capable.
And we Scots have spoken. We don't believe it's possible. We don't believe we are capable. We bottled it.
As a parent, I have always tried to instill certain beliefs. Set yourself goals that are stretching but achievable; word hard; accept setbacks and learn from them; be responsible for yourself and expect no-one else to provide for you; anything is achievable if you want it enough. Twenty years on and with a top-notch state-school education behind her - and a state-funded University education driving her along - she is learning that (by and large) these principles are solid foundations upon which to build your life.
And, this evening Junior distilled the essence of what makes this morning's result so saddening for me. That virtually no-one disagreed with the vision - only in our ability to achieve it.
"Dad, I think what saddened me most was the fact that TV news pictures are being beamed around the world of Scottish people jumping up and down, actively celebrating the fact that we are insufficiently capable of achieving our goals".
