MAINZ, Germany – First the kilts, then the Lederhosen?

A small political party in Germany’s southern state of Bavaria is closely watching the outcome of the Scottish referendum, hopeful that a resounding “YES” for independence” could have a knock-on effect for the region from which Oktoberfest gets its roots.

It’s been more than 100 years since the Kingdom of Bavaria was a sovereign state – but the so-called “Bavaria Party” has long campaigned for independence to come once more to the region’s rolling hills.