Comment Re:it is all going to go horribly wrong (Score 1) 494
No, adopting the Euro is a requirement for new entrants. Countries that were previously part of the EU and did not adopt were grandfathered in and don't have to change, but for new entrants it's not optional.
It's actually the reverse: you have to be an EU member before you can adopt the Euro as your local currency.
Again, there are countries (Poland comes to mind) that are EU members, but retain their local currency. The zloty, in the case of Poland.
As far as I know, membership in the Eurozone is optional.
I personally believe Scotland would be best served by gaining its independence, ditching the Queen, proclaiming the Scottish Republic, ditching the british pound (replacing it with, let's say, the Scottish pound), kicking the British banks out, creating its own (strongly regulated) scottish banking system and applying for EU membership. But that's just me.