Independence would herald great chapter

Sir, – Correspondent David Lindberg (Independence would put ‘beautiful country’ at risk, Courier, May 4) attempts to present a less favourable picture of the prospects for Scotland after independence.

But in doing so he actually makes the case for independence.

Without full fiscal power how can the devolved government be held accountable for this situation?

Given the UK Government has put the country into debt to the tune of two trillion pounds, is mothballing its tanks because it can’t afford to run them and is slashing overseas aid to desperately poor countries, there seems very little to get excited about in this precious union.

I have lived and travelled extensively overseas and been

in many recently independent countries.

Nowhere do you see notices and campaigns by people wanting to go back to the union they had before.

By contrast, the happiness and enthusiasm and sheer energy you see and feel in places like Slovenia, Slovakia, the Baltic States, Kosovo and even Malta is a joy to behold.

I think it is beyond question that Scotland has more going for it than most, if not all, of these countries and indeed most small countries.

New Zealanders think it is mad to even question whether Scotland would make it on our own. I feel sorry for Scottish unionists, always having to put down their country as their only defence for the union.

It is my considered opinion that the surge of creativity and productivity and sheer contentment that would be unleashed with our independence would be a thing

of great beauty and the start of a great chapter in our history. Rab Mungall,

Lady Campbells Court, Dunfermline.