There’s no need for demonstrations and counter-demos in a mature democracy

Friends who witnessed the unedifying sight of the separatist marchers in Inverness on Saturday reported that they were both saddened and embarrassed by it.

The disruption and cacophony of the bike-revving painted faced circus of Saltires and the Union Jack-waving Rule Britannia ghetto-blasting Unionists (who felt that they had to show that it’s not one-sided), is neither necessary or helpful.

My friends were sad that in a mature democracy with umpteen ways to communicate and interact, people unable to influence others to their opinion through informed debate and sound reasoning were resorting to the crudest of means to give the impression of popular support.

They were embarrassed because the whole thing was taking place in front of many perplexed tourists and people trying to get on with their daily lives.

By coincidence I met some Norwegian tourists the next day on the North East coastal path. They had been in Inverness on Saturday and were indeed puzzled and surprised by what they had seen.

Like me, they did not understand what it was that the demonstrators wanted independence from – considering Scots to have the same rights and opportunities as any other British citizens.

If Brexit has achieved one thing so far, it is to demonstrate that constitutional and similar issues are too complex to rely on street demonstrations and emotive displays as a means of persuasion.

Worse still, the quiet majority who would like to talk and listen are inhibited from doing so because they do not want to be associated with the circuses.

MARK OPENSHAW Earlswells Road Cults, Aberdeen

Having seen this weekend’s Inverness demonstration I am convinced that the aggressive nature of the demo underlines the desire of the marchers to “divide and destroy” all that we have worked for in Scotland and the benefits we have as part of the UK.

Freedom of speech is everyone’s right in a true democratic society but marches that instil an element of fear are not to be encouraged.

DENNIS FORBES GRATTAN

Mugiemoss Road Bucksburn, Aberdeen