This week, the result of Scotland’s historic vote will be known and the post-mortem on voting patterns and reasons for the result will be at the forefront of the news.

However, as one who has found psephology a fascinating subject over the last 65 years, I cannot recall any election in the United Kingdom that has generated so much enthusiasm, especially among the more youthful voters.

I thought the Scottish Government had got it wrong when they lowered the voting age to 16 but, having seen many debates over the last month or so, I have changed my views. I wonder how long it will be before Westminster follows suit.

The Scottish public really seemed to get involved, for this has been, for them, their most important choice for over 300 years. Electioneering got off to a slow start, but then, in the last month, politicians and the voters suddenly realised the seriousness of what was before them.

I would very much like to see the same sort of enthusiasm in normal elections. It seems to me that over the last 20 years, politics and MPs have done themselves no favours with the attitude and actions of a few greedy members.

The voting percentages have been appalling, especially for local elections, yet grumbling about the policies and actions of those elected continue apace.

The Scottish youth have demonstrated a real interest in the campaign, and somehow this attitude needs to be encouraged. This is nothing to do with policies of one side or the other, but the fact that people get really involved rather than criticising from the sidelines.

I was interested to learn earlier this week of an applicant for an apprenticeship with a large Midland manufacturing company, who had to go through three interviews before acceptance. Not only was the company interested in his educational achievements, but also questioned him as to his attitude to work and ambitions, and enthusiasm.

Today’s teenagers are going to have to live through some very tough times, and need not only to be prepared in terms of training, but also must have enthusiasm and dedication to overcome some of the horrendous problems that the clash of religions and politics will throw up. There are lessons to be learned from Scottish youth.

* Russell Luckock is chairman of pressings firm AE Harris