It’s wrong to claim independence referendum did not create a divided Scotland

To put it mildly, I find Mary Thomas’ latest anti-unionist letter confusing (Letters, 11 April).

She appears to have little sympathy or condemnation for the vile online abuse SNP MP Pete Wishart has revealed that he has been receiving from SNP supporters. Indeed, she dismisses this as being “the way the world is these days”.

I find it difficult to accept Ms Thomas’ claim that, compared with the Brexit Referendum campaign, the Scottish Referendum campaign was not divisive but seen by “international observers as a model of civic nationalism”.

Memories of rent-a-mob terrorising BBC journalists at Pacific Quay because Alex Salmond was asked, several times, a difficult question by a BBC journalist or of Scots not supporting independence being called traitors hardly squares with such a description. Neither does the the First Minister’s refusal to accept the democratic decision of majority of Scottish people who voted against independence in 2014.

In my view, Scotland today is a bitterly fractured country, with families divided and friendships ended because of differing views on the independence issue. At the same time, the sense of insecurity engendered by the constant threat of a second referendum is stultifying our economy.

Ms Thomas’s assertion that pro-union Scotsman letter writers are responsible for suggesting that the 45 per cent of Scottish independence supporters are “lesser human beings” is laughable. On the contrary, I would contend that Ms Thomas herself does a sterling job trying to stir up antienglish hatred and makes it clear that any one who dares to not support Scottish independence should be regarded as with complete contempt!

SALLY GORDON - WALKER

Caiystane Drive, Edinburgh

In his letter of 12 April, Alexander Mckay speaks of “the hatred and paranoia that is endemic to nationalism”. However, he also admits that for many years he felt “a surge of pride and love” for his country every time he saw the Saltire fly. Was this not nationalism? Was he then guilty of hatred and paranoia? I don’t think so. An emotional attachment to the country of one’s birth seems to be a universal human trait which can endure even unto the third and fourth (or more) generation of emigrants from it.

S BECK

Craigleith Drive, Edinburgh