Two issues dominated Security Forward’s workshop and dinner – Scotland and standards. The event was held at the informal headquarters of the forum, the Cavalry & Guards Club on Piccadilly in London. Lt Col Crispin Black MBE started a vibrant and animated debate with his presentation, “Scottish Independence: Security Implications North And South Of The New Border”. Crispin covered many topics from economics and oil, to nuclear energy and Northern Ireland. However, participants widened discussion further to contrast air defences with Hadrian’s Wall and wonder whether Alex Salmond might provocatively lease a naval base to Argentina. Paul Stennett, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, had a hard act to follow, but did well at engaging the group on the role of standards, laboratories, certification bodies and accreditation in forensics. Before going to dinner the team had a well-earned stop in the bar for a round of Bonnie Prince Charlie cocktails. Finally, Vice Admiral Charles Style CBE, Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies, gave some thoughts over dinner linking defence issues to global economic changes which provoked yet more discussion. A late, but very interesting night.