The perceptions of Scotland from overseas companies - which have their scorecards covering various key features of potential investment destinations – constitute an important objective assessment of the nation as a place in which to do business. This is in stark contrast to that element of chatter domestically about Scotland’s business environment that is fuelled by people’s personal political beliefs and is often no more than tittle-tattle with absolutely nothing to back up these amateur opinions. And, while those who seem to delight in talking Scotland down might be inclined to get excited about the fall in the number of...