If you could rewind the clocks just a few weeks, a great many people in Scotland would not have been all that fussed about Thursday’s referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.
It all seemed one step removed. We have, after all, had our “sovereignty vote” and were generally just a bit puzzled by the heat and passion which was consuming the political debate south of the border.
Perhaps this is a misreading of the current situation, but that seems to have changed – to some extent – recently.
There has been something close to a rousing of passions. People have woken up to the fact that his really, really matters to our future.
It is undeniable that a Leave vote will have massive consequences for the country.
Whether you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it is undeniable and sitting on the fence crowing: “It doesn’t matter, all politicians are bad anyway,” is a coward’s way out and is unworthy of the democratic rights we hold.
That’s not to say it has been easy to engage in this referendum.
The tone of the debate from both official campaign groups has been dire. On the Leave side, those who did not manage to achieve official status have dragged it down further.
Both side have told, if not outright lies, at best half-truths and have twisted “facts” and figures with the aim of scaring you into backing their cause.
We’ve seen this all before, of course, which is perhaps why Scotland has been even wearier than most when assessing the conduct of campaigners.
That does not excuse apathy, though.
Experience at cutting through the spin means we should be better equipped to come to a conclusion.
The information is out there, much of it is in this supplement and much more comes from the experts some campaign groups would rather you ignored.
There is no excuse not to seek it out as voting preparation.
How you cast your vote on Thursday is not just about your future, it’s the next generation’s too.