Is the border really fixed?

I READ with interest David Leask’s article (“Beware the British nationalists threatening to partition Scotland”, The Herald, May 14). Whilst it is debatable how realistic a threat this is (I do not think George Galloway has much sway these days), it is worth noting that in February 2008, SNP MSP Christine Grahame called for Berwick upon Tweed to be given the opportunity to become part of Scotland, should Scotland become independent. Alex Salmond later (somewhat opportunistically) announced that he would make the necessary representations to Westminster should this occur.

It would seem that neither side considers the Scottish/english border to be particularly “fixed”. Gavin David Bell,

Lanark.

„ ◾TAKE issue with Leask’s mention of Orkney and Shetland remaining with RUK if Scotland chooses independence. The people of these islands, offered a democratic choice among Scotland, RUK and Norway, would probably opt for Norway. Look at an atlas; this makes sense.

The Declaration of Arbroath (1320), a beloved icon of the SNP, was signed by Scottish barons – the posh people, many of Norman origin – when Orkney and Shetland were under Norwegian jurisdiction.

William Durward,

Bearsden.