THE Swedes have a lot of things figured out.

Great pop music. Being really, ridiculously good looking.

Being left-leaning, fair and democratic. These are all important matters that are - mostly - in keeping with what an ideal independent Scotland might be good at.

There is one major difference between our countries, though, and it's a biggie.

Getting a carry-out in Sweden is harder than doing your tax return in a foreign language.

You can't just stock up on cans down at the local corner shop - the only place to get alcohol that's over 3.5% is at the government off -licence, the Systembolaget.

They close at 7pm on weeknights and they're only open from 10am until 3pm on Saturdays.

Could you imagine if an independent Scotland imposed those kind of restrictions on getting a cargo in?

The cruellest part is that the cost of buying drinks in bars and clubs is cripplingly high, so the Systembolaget wins every time.

As disagreeable as that sounds, it means that Swedes are among the least likely to be hospitalised due to alcohol-related illnesses, while here in Scotland alcohol is a factor in 1 in 30 deaths.

Suddenly, it seems more a case of Scandinavian sense than strictness.

Speaking of strict, try getting into 29 Royal Exchange Square without a membership.