WITH my republican leanings and more than a little indifference towards the monarchy of the United Kingdom, I spent part of Sunday watching the unique journey of the late Queen from Balmoral to Edinburgh. Apart from the sadness and solemnity of this unique occasion, the likes of which we are unlikely to see again, it struck me that a clear statement was being made either intentionally or not on the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom.

Never has such a poignant journey showcased the country of Scotland from the skies like this before. You could not but wonder at how beautiful and majestic our countryside is, and any outsider with little knowledge of our country would surely be impressed. The banter of the TV presenters and their invited guests in the background not surprisingly touched on the importance of Scotland within the UK, its royal history, its cultural differences and Scottish independence.

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It came to mind the importance of what I was watching as regards Scotland’s desire and right not only to independence but to a referendum to decide the matter. Recently it has been suggested that Scotland is not a country in its own right. Many senior Tories have indicated there is only one country and that is the United Kingdom. That Scotland is North Britain, that it is a region of England!

Prime Minister Truss has made it clear she regards our FM and Scotland as nothing more than “bit players” in the England-run UK. It is now quite clear that such a pretence has been exposed for what it is, a clear attempt to undermine the sovereign nation of Scotland. I wonder if, once the pomp and pageantry are over, the Tories and British nationalists will be less likely to pursue the idea that Scotland “is no more” after hours of broadcasting our nation over the airwaves to a watching England and in fact the world.

Am I cynical enough to believe the opposite argument, that the late monarch’s love of Scotland, which was repeatedly mentioned on all TV channels but particularly the BBC, was a subliminal attempt to “say to the Scots” you are part of the Union and “there you must stay”?

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Would a referendum held now fail miserably, as many Scots would wrestle with their own loyalties and put monarchy above nation? Personally, I doubt it. We need to separate the respect many had for the Queen from the general view of monarchy that most Scots hold. The era of Charles III about to descend on us is going to be an exceedingly difficult landscape, with us Scots less likely to fall in line and much more likely to question its relevance to a Scotland increasingly marginalised by a right-wing Westminster Union Jack government.

Already the “Establishment” moves on. The focus moves to the coronation of the new King. The date of that is 2023, but which month? Will the suggested October date for the proposed referendum be a deciding factor? Of course it will. Will the Tories use the impending “coronation year” to highlight the Union at every opportunity? Of course, they will. Will they get it right? Of course not.

Already they are suggesting that the Stone of Destiny will be transported to London and placed under the coronation chair. This total faux pas already lets the Scots know that nothing will change, and only our independence can free us and allow us to continue on our social democratic path.

Dan Wood
Kirriemuir

WE must not let emotional remembrance of the Queen divert our attention from the increasingly urgent need to become independent ASAP, given the dire cost-of-living situation and the risk to living at all with the Trident sword of Damocles over our heads!

Colin Beattie
via email