In September 2014, 55% of the eligible electorate in Scotland voted in favour of remaining within the United Kingdom. The preceding referendum campaign led to an unprecedented surge in political engagement in Scotland. Part of the democratic impetus arose from an extension of the franchise to 16‐17 year olds, who had never previously been permitted to vote in the formal political process in the UK.

On polling day, turnout among 16‐17 year olds (75%) was higher than among those aged 18‐24 (54%) and those aged 25‐34 (72%). This bucked the trend of declining participation levels among youngest voters across Western democracies, and raised critical questions about the apparent breakdown of the deterministic lifecycle model of political socialisation, lending support to the development of a model based upon generational effects. The optimism surrounding this apparent resurgence in youth political participation may have been premature as voter turnout across all ages fell in subsequent elections. However, as critical issues such as the UK’s exit from the EU and the potential for a second Scottish Independence referendum continue, the political engagement of young people continues to be an important consideration for social researchers.  This paper will draw on qualitative interviews, a national youth survey and quantitative analysis of Twitter output to consider how the referendum and the extension of the franchise have impacted upon patterns of political participation among the youngest cohort of voters. In doing so, the aim is to provide a context for discussions around how extending the franchise to 16‐17 year olds might help to address arrest the decline of formal political socialisation and participation.