Whoever manages the local Oxfam charity shop has a very good sense for timing.
As I passed its windows earlier today, the display was full of Scottish items, and I have to say I was tempted to purchase some of the books, especially as we seem to have no idea which way the referendum is going to go at this moment. Whatever happens on Thursday, we will all be writing narratives that make the result natural and inevitable with the great benefit of hindsight, but I think it would be fair to say that very few people expected that we would be in the situation we find ourselves currently, where the outcome is extremely uncertain.
This impressive collection does however make me wonder: how have they sourced these materials? Oxfam and other charity shops depend on donations. It is not as if they go to suppliers to replenish the stock, except for certain items they sell like fairtrade coffee and Christmas cards. For that reason, I never thought charity shops hang on to stock for long, as it makes sense to shift stock as quickly as possible, so as to be able to have more space for new stock, and raise as much money as possible.
Perhaps someone had read all these books and felt as though there was no need to hang on to them, or may be a kind donor thought that these goods will raise the most money therefore decided to donate them now, just before the referendum?