Iain Macwhirter asserted that Nicola Sturgeon is "a 'utilitarian' nationalist more interested in social justice than in independence for its own sake" (SNP must now get radical or die trying, Comment, June 18).

However, Nicola Sturgeon herself declared that "the case for full self-government ultimately transcends the issues of Brexit, of oil, of national wealth and balance sheets and of passing political fads and trends”. Clearly, independence comes first and foremost in her every consideration, and all other political postures are simply means to achieving that goal – for its own sake.

David Henderson

Inverness

Roxanne Sorooshian writes about research from California which shows that when food descriptions are "sexed up" they prove to be more appealing to people (Making veg sound so very fruity, Comment, June 18).

It would be a good idea to do it "the other way round", by describing food that comes from animals according to how the animals are treated before they become animal products.

How about some badly-beaten cow-burgers, cruelly-confined chicken, punched pigs pig-meat, seriously suffering sheep. As for honey, how many would be tempted to eat it if the jar label told us that it is, in fact, bee vomit?

Sandra Busell

Edinburgh