Invest in our economic future

Sir, - The thousands who joined the independence march in Glasgow showed laudable ambition, however, there are in Scotland greater battles to be won first.

The reality today is more Scots emigrated last year than took part in that march and they are mainly young and well educated.

This is not new. Scots have been leaving in the thousands each year for centuries, predominately for economic reasons.

The current SNP administration is advocating increased immigration to try to make up for this continuing reduction of Scotland’s indigenous population.

If lack of opportunity at home is driving Scots to leave for other parts of Britain and the world, what calibre of immigrant are we likely to attract and from where?

Independence ambitions can wait until we have an economic transformation to curb this exodus. It’s time the SNP concentrated on using its enhanced devolved fiscal powers to halt the gradual decline of the Scottish economy and stop blaming Westminster.

We need to see some positive action not nationalistic sound bites.

Scotland should be investing heavily in startup high-tech industries, research companies and encourage enterprise to create the employment and prosperity for our children and grandchildren. Only after striving to achieved this will we be able to attract migrants who will complement and enhance our economy. Joseph A Peterson. Windsor Gardens, St Andrews.