Revealed: The letters sent to Nicola Sturgeon about Scottish independence

The missives included a number from charities and ordinary members of the public – including those from elsewhere in the UK.

The first post arrived as the dust was still settling on the May 6 election, which saw the SNP returned as the largest party. A deal with the Scottish Greens followed after that party increased its number of MSPs. The alliance is the first of its kind.

Officials have now released a cache of correspondence received between May 7 and September 16 showing the scale of mail sent to the First Minister, her Cabinet and government departments on the constitutional question. All have had the sender's details redacted to protect privacy.

However, 36 pages' worth of letters have been published on the Scottish Government's website following a Freedom of Information inquiry. Of the total taken in, nine saw the writers specify support for independence, while 18 correspondents were against it.

The messages also cover the economy, health, the climate crisis, education and more and seek answers about the future.

"I cannot see any future for myself and our country unless your government gets the finger out," one writer stated, adding: "I just hope that all your promises about independence where not just an excuse to get re-elected."

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In another email to the First Minister, the writer identifies themself as "a long time, 50 years, supporter of independence" and calls for "a long term strategy being articulated by yourself and your ministers that will convince people that we can overcome the deficit and subsidies that are so frequently trotted out by the unionist press".

"I have read the latest manifesto and it points to a number of areas like moving to zero carbon and building on our energy expertise but I do not know of a co-ordinated plan building on our great universities, legacy industries, tourism, energy, tech jobs and green ambition that clearly lays out how we will transform our economy and hence our country," it goes on. "The absence of such a plan leaves the door open for the constant negative assessments of the press and will play to the fear of the huge change that Independence will be and therefore is a huge risk that we will once again fall short.

"If the comprehensive plan exists accept my apology and point me to it, if it doesn’t then please advise what is being done to pull it together."

Meanwhile, one supporter of the Union tells Sturgeon they are "absolutely devastated at your constant attempts to break up the United Kingdom", adding: "I also find it extremely distressing that you continue to ignore the opinions of those of us who want to remain as one country. The vote for independence was meant to be a once in a lifetime vote, that was what was promised, why are you breaking this promise?

"I think before you press on with your independence you need to think long and hard about how much funding is received from our English cousins and where on earth you are going to find this money?" it goes on. "Where is the money for free prescriptions, hospitals, education, etc, etc, etc going to come from? Why when asked do you never give a straight answer? What if the European Union don’t want Scotland? How are you going to police a hard border? The list goes on and on and there is never a convincing answer. If you are giving the vote to 16-year-olds why are Scottish people living in England not permitted to vote?

"My advice to you would be to think very, very carefully about this, after all do you want to go down in history as the woman who ruined the lives of the citizens of Scotland?"

READ MORE: Unionist campaign given £46k in ‘dark money’ by donor to get the SNP out

On July 27, Sturgeon was asked about "giving expatriate Scots living in England a vote in any independence referendum you may choose to call in this Parliament". "Whilst I have lived in London for my entire life," the correspondent wrote, "a critical part of my identity is as a Scottish person and I am a passionate supporter of the Union. Whilst I understand and respect your view on independence, can I have your reassurance that you will respect and acknowledge mine through allowing me a vote in any referendum that may be held?"

In another, an English Labour voter says they are "very impressed" with the response to Covid by Scottish universities "compared with those in England" and says that "advice about self-isolation and Covid tiers was far clearer in Scotland".

It goes on: "I think that if you held another independence referendum in 2023, it is likely that people will vote to leave, especially having witnessed the recent disorganisation at Westminster. However, I am very worried because I feel like I would be left behind.

"Since the SNP has mopped up Labour voters in Scotland, I’m worried that left wing liberals like me will be abandoned in a sea of blue if you leave.

"Having said this, is there any way I could claim Scottish citizenship if you leave? I feel more Scottish than English.

"Alternatively, can you please absorb the North East into Scotland?"

READ MORE: Anas Sarwar: Labour has doubled down on politics of anger and despair

Another urges Michael Matheson to steer Scotland away from a "fossil-fuel based economy", adding: "COP26 is a chance for us, as a nation, to set ambitious targets that outstrip any of the glib promises that are bound to ooze from Westminster – a chance to truly start our path to independence."

While a separate message raises concerns about ambulance response times, saying: "Please, stop all your independence plans and sort out Scotland, in a way that puts all other politicians to shame. Show me that you can do it and maybe I might finally believe you've got what it takes to run a 1st class country."

On the deal with the Greens, one email calls this "a recipe for disaster" that will harm economic growth and breaks with the civil tone of most missives, with the sender stating: "I'm sick of the sight of 'wee Jimmy Krankie' and her fellow Scottish Irrational Party cronies".

In contrast, a frequent holidaymaker to Scotland from England questions "why does Scotland now get first weather reports" and accuses Sturgeon of "consistent attempts to drain a higher proportion of the UK budget".

Two days after the result, one email-writer sent in a "possible solution to independence", suggesting that the UK remodel itself on the European Union, splitting all parliaments but retaining a "mutually beneficial economic, military and foreign policy".

"In effect, this would effectively make Scotland independent," the writer states. "I hope this provides food for thought."