Scotland, by default, has become an attractive place to many people post-Brexit. Outward-looking, welcoming and progressive, we find ourselves considered a beacon on the British Isles which, as a shy and modest people (no tittering at the back), makes us slightly uncomfortable but mostly quite pleased.

It is with great pleasure, therefore, that we learn of Rathlin Island’s desire to become part of Scotland within the European Union. Any country would be proud to have Rathlin, and to be chosen by them is a special honour. For sure, there will be ancient claims, territorial sovereignty, diplomacy and other tedious flim-flam to be considered first. But we can all fall off these bridges when we come to them.

The proposal has been made “half jokingly”, which alas means the same as “half seriously”. Brexit has discombobulated the islanders, who already feel a kinship to Scotland. Rathlin (population 145 and located off County Antrim’s coast) is just a 12-mile stone’s throw from the Mull of Kintyre.

The cave where Robert the Bruce saw his persevering spider is thought to be located on Rathlin, and the usual clan massacres have taken place there.

But there are webs within webs to be unwoven here. For, as Britain tries to unravel itself from the EU, independence supporters here are still trying to extricate Scotland from the United Kingdom (still far from a foregone conclusion), and Rathlin’s departure would surely be viewed with dismay by its present countrymen in Northern Ireland.

In 1617, Rathlin’s designation as Scottish or Irish was decided by a dead snake. It was alive when unleashed on the island but soon expired, proving Rathlin was Irish as no serpents could survive in Ireland after St Patrick told them to leg it.

Animal welfare concerns would prevent a rematch. For the time being, therefore, we might content ourselves with waving to each other across the sea – until everything unravels.