MY thanks go to The National and Sunday National contributors – Richard, Ruth, Lesley, Shona and Stan (my favourite letter writer) and others.

In a period of bitter internal struggle in the independence movement their reassuring contributions exude calmness, impartial and thoughtful analysis, passion and common sense. Your regular reporters are also to be applauded for their level-headed, accurate explanations of the big issues dominating our thinking, eg “The week that shook the SNP” in the Sunday National. The four-page special report was considered, logical, objective and written without bitterness or malice.

READ MORE: Long Read: The inside story of the week that rocked the SNP

In contrast, the use of social media has brought debate in Scottish politics to a new low. There are apparently two factions at war. Their battleground is firstly Twitter, where abuse, personal attacks, foul language and unsubstantiated rumours and accusations can swirl around for hours and days.

Then there are the blogs, and one “go to” blog in particular which was once regarded as the natural home for independence supporters. It is now the conduit for leaked documents and one-sided opinion. Unfortunately these leaks usually have an additional commentary full of bitterness, personal abuse and a lack of integrity.

However, look into the darker corners of our democracy and you will find there is a third faction eagerly highlighting any disagreements – the right-wing press, the establishment, the Westminster elite, the Unionist opposition and the BBC. They are all ready to act if we continue to self-destruct, or have they already acted?

The last year has been tough. We have worried about the pandemic, our health, our families and our future. One moment took my breath away. At the SNP conference the event paused and we saw pictures and read names of hundreds of SNP members and independence supporters who had died in 2020. It was heartbreaking – these special individuals never saw an independent Scotland. They marched, they sang, they laughed, they debated and they dreamed, but 2014 was as close as they managed.

Please don’t let me become another epitaph on a gravestone “he fought for the independence of his nation but never lived to see his dream come true”.

I will finish on a more optimistic note. Scotland have just beaten England at rugby – a triumph of endeavour, planning and teamwork allied to individual brilliance. However in 2019 Scottish rugby was in disarray after a dismal World Cup in Japan, and a year ago one of our star players Finn Russell fell out, terminally, with the coach Gregor Townsend. However, a year later we enjoy a historic victory. Finn is lauded, Gregor is lauded – how was the situation resolved?

Reconciliation, talking, listening, appreciating each other’s opinions and realising that there is a bigger prize at stake – your team, your country and your future.

Gordon Ferrie
Straiton

WHAT a day and what a result. After Saturday’s win and it being the 150th anniversary of the rivalry, did Scotland pull one over England before a ball was kicked?

England’s tribute to that anniversary was using the original badge of the England team of 1871, and it looked great on the strips, but I feel Scotland just went that little bit further. They had the names of the players from all those years ago embroidered on the team strip. Hoggy had Francis Moncreiff, the first captain of Scotland in 1871, on his. Did this help Scotland, by carrying those names into the “Auld Enemy”battle?

For those interested, in 1871 England were in white with a rose on the strip and Scotland had brown shirts with white cricket flannels!!!

Ultimately I’m so proud of that performance and the impact those ghosts made.

Well done Scotland!!

Iain McEwan
Troon