No need to jump off cliff to prove our pride in Scotland

Sir, – Few Scots can understand how Donald Trump was ever elected as President of the USA.

We see through his showmanship, laugh at his ranting tweets, mock his claims to be the best in the world at everything and shake our heads. How on earth could millions have voted for him?

They were, of course, carried forward on his war-cry: “I will make America great again!”

The saving grace for the Americans is that, four years later, they can now come to their senses and vote him out.

Scottish independence is following a similar pattern with the SNP surfing a huge wave of sentiment.

There are no real facts to support this ambition.

We no longer have a great industrial base to rely on for growth and jobs.

We are not mineral rich and 80% of our current trade is done with south of the border, so a trade deal will need to be negotiated.

It will not be a good deal. Scotland will have to create its own currency which will be immediately weaker than the pound or the euro, and we will all lose value when we have to exchange our savings from sterling.

The NHS will need to be reformed and funded by us as it becomes the SHS.

There are lots more negatives, but the spirit of Rob Roy will carry us forward.

The tragedy of the situation, however, is there will be no opportunity in four years’ time to vote for a reversal.

We can all be proud of being Scottish while remaining strong as part of the UK.

We don’t need to jump off a cliff to prove it.

Ken Greenaway.

Torr of Kedlock, Cupar.