United Kingdom in a precarious position as Scots head to the polls

After three hundred years of conquest, the United Kingdom's greatest threat is now coming from within in the form of Thursday's independence vote in Scotland. Should the YES side succeed at secession, the fallout could be far-reaching ... NATO-grade nuclear weapons would have to be moved and anti-EU activists would find new encouragement. Should the vote go to the NO side, most predict it won't be over.

Polls suggest Thursday's independence vote will a close one. No matter the outcome, after the votes are counted, there will still be Scots and English, Welsh and Northern Irish. But relationships within the United Kingdom will be transformed.

There is a growing chorus of voices urging the Scots to remain in the United Kingdom. Yesterday Prime Minister David Cameron made an impassioned plea in Aberdeen reminding the Scots of common history, common interests and common values.

For the people of Scotland to walk away now would be like painstakingly building a home and then walking out and throwing away the keys. So I would say to everyone who is voting on Thursday, please remember...this isn't any old country. This is the United Kingdom. This is our country and you know what truly makes us great, it is not our economic might or military prowess, it's our values - British values - fairness, freedom, justice.UK Prime Minister David Cameron

Professor Sir Tom Devine of the University of Edinburgh is a leading historian for Scotland. He has penned 34 books on Scottish history, and he has announced that he will be voting Yes in the referendum...choosing to break away from the United Kingdom.

Other regions within the UK are closely watching the Scottish Vote. The referendum campaign has given a boost to the secessionist movement in Wales. Leanne Wood is the head of the Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru or 'The Party of Wales" and is fully behind the Yes side:

On the 18th of September, the people of Scotland will be sovereign. It is up to them to decide on that day, whether they want to hold onto that sovereignty for every other day after next Thursday. Today, as citizens of Wales, we gather to send our warmest wishes and our solidarity to the people of Scotland. From the capital city of Wales, we say 'Go for it Scotland'!Leanne Wood, head of 'The Party of Wales'

And politicians off all political stripes in Northern Ireland are also watching. Jeffrey Donaldson is an MP with the Democratic Unionist Party for Lagan Valley in Northern Ireland.

Margaret MacMillan is the Warden of St Antony's College and Professor of International History at the University of Oxford. She is a Canadian, a celebrated historian and she is following the lead up to the Scottish referendum.

If you have ties to the Scotland, or the UK... let us know what you think of the vote, what outcome you're hoping for.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Lara O'Brien, Peter Mitton and Sujata Berry.