The independence referendum will be a historic moment for young Scots

Whichever way we vote, this is an incredible opportunity for 16- and 17-year-olds to play a part in deciding Scotland's destiny
Scottish independence
'Generation Yes', a new group aimed at persuading young Scots to vote yes to independence. However 'there is overwhelming support from young Scottish voters for Scotland to … remain part of the UK'. Photograph: Bill Fleming/Yes Scotland/PA

This year's independence referendum is historic. It will see the enfranchisement of 16- and 17-year-olds. For the first time, we – young Scots – will have a significant role to play in choosing the path that we believe will lead Scotland to prosperity: independence or the union.

This may seem like the growth of democracy but the reasons as to why the voting community has grown have been questioned – for they may be more sinister than at first glance they appear. The common myth which was widely believed in Scottish politics before the referendum campaign was that younger people would be more inclined to vote in favour of separation. Why was this? Apparently we were supposed to succumb to the romanticised version of independence that was being proposed: Braveheart, feeling Scottish, enjoying a can of Irn-Bru. But young people of Scotland are cleverer than that. The polls have shown this, too. There is overwhelming support from young Scottish voters for Scotland to stay with her siblings and remain part of the United Kingdom. Although he would argue against this, I wonder if Alex Salmond would have been quite so keen to hand young people the vote if the myth had been dispelled earlier?

The problem with independence is the grave uncertainties that it brings. Moreover, every time the word "uncertainty" is raised, the separatists call it "scaremongering". This response is an escape route from the truth: we don't really know what will happen if Scotland votes yes. As a young person living in Scotland, I want a prosperous country in which opportunities to succeed are rife. For this to be so there has to be investment, there has to be big business and there has to be a credible currency. Throughout the UK, many regions including Scotland experience a brain drain. The beneficiary of this is London. Its bright lights and city scenery attract educated young people in droves. And let's face it, it looks exciting! To stem this flow, we need opportunities to counter those of London's. When people such as Bob Dudley from BP talk about businesses having "concern" about the effects of independence, it is hard to believe that separation will persuade young people to stay; or that it is the right path to travel down.

Despite this, there are some young people in this debate who have known the way they will vote for a long time. These are the people who will be voting with their hearts. As a result, the question is practically: are you British or are you Scottish? To that I would answer the third option: I am both. And I should not have to choose between the two. I know some nationalists and they do not feel in the least bit British. They could never be convinced of voting no because of the impenetrable pride they take in calling themselves "Scottish". Personally, I have always taken issue with nationalism. Becoming attached to one's nation, to me, appears to be a very inward-looking approach. I would argue that history has shown us nationalism is unsustainable and if it is not born as a consequence of the love of one's nation, then it is born from one's hatred of another.

The former US president Bill Clinton, when speaking in Edinburgh last June, said that it is important to have this debate without "tearing the place apart". Ultimately, I can't help but ask what the purpose of independence is? Why fix something that isn't broken? But we're having this debate, so I believe we all have to fulfil our democratic duty by getting involved. Even if, like me, you think it's a waste of time and money. Whichever way we vote, it will be the beginning of a new chapter in our history, and on our date with destiny the world will be watching.