BILL Mitchell (Letters, April 13) informs us that ever since Sir Billy Connolly's formative years, the “cultures of the constituent countries of the UK have moved in different directions”. I feel he seems to keep quiet about this being a feature which applies rather more to the constituent parts of Scotland. I expect that many of the inhabitants of Glasgow, being a post-industrial port, have much more in common with the culture of the people of, for example, Liverpool than they do with that of the good citizens of Lerwick.

I also do not view any amount of subterfuge such as infiltrating the Gaelic language signage into the Scottish Lowlands will politically homogenise the very different cultures across modern Scotland.

Lindsay Matheson on the same letters page appears to wear even bigger tartan blinkers. He deliberates at some length about a Scottish birthright but perhaps ignores my own birthright as a British citizen which the SNP attempted to take from me in 2014 through a failed referendum. I would remind Mr Matheson that in 1707 England also gave up her independence.

The argument proposed that Scottish independence would have the "huge advantage of making us face up to our own challenges and aspirations" is rather comically like saying I should get divorced so I can make my own meals and shop on my own because it would really be better for me.

I consider the United Kingdom is like a strong metal alloy which has properties superior to each of its component metals on their own. If anyone thinks I should ignore the financial risks of independence because of some emotional view of possession of the land, they must think I believe in magic beans.

Is it not time that Scottish Nationalists should start listening closely to the crescendo tick-tock of the ageing population time-bomb which will drain our resources and realise what utter folly it would be to separate from the UK ?

Bill Brown,

46 Breadie Drive, Milngavie.

YOUR correspondent Lindsay Matheson, aged 73 (Letters, April 13) encapsulates the typical Nationalist mindset; these people will try and twist the numbers until they have their way. According to the 2011 Census, 23.22 per cent of the population of Scotland were over 60. When the under-16s are taken into account, not a high proportion of the population will be left to help Mr Matheson reclaim his birthright.

David Miller (85),

80 Prestonfield, Milngavie.

FOLLOWING on from Lindsay Matheson's letter regarding voting rights at the next referendum could I also suggest that only council tax payers be given the vote at local authority elections and income tax payers the vote at general elections for the Scottish Parliament?

Might we also consider only those born in Scotland and residing there to have voting rights?

Bill Eadie,

8F Hazelden Park, Giffnock.

YOUR correspondents (Letters, April 11 & 12) cannot be allowed to get away with rewriting history.

It is simply not the case that "once in a generation" was a throw-away comment by Alex Salmond. It was stated in the Scottish Government's White Paper and in the information booklet issued to every household by the Electoral Commission.

Likewise, the Vow of 2014 comprised the following pledges: more powers for Holyrood, protection of Barnett, and the permanent status in statute of the Scottish Parliament. All of these have been delivered.

However, in the latter case, I agree the best way of achieving greater safeguarding of Holyrood would be a formal written constitution. As an ancient Charter 88 signatory, I would welcome this, especially as the necessary counterweight to permanent legal protection to devolution would be permanent legal protection for the Union.

Like they have in countries like the United States. And Spain. Nationalists should take care with what they wish for.

Peter A Russell,

87 Munro Road, Jordanhill, Glasgow.

MARTIN Redfern starts his letter (April 13) with “Am I the only person in Scotland confused by "the enormity of media coverage of SNP politicians contradicting each other over whether there should be an independence referendum over the next months".

I would think he might be, as most of us will be watching the Commonwealth Games where Scotland is doing quite well.

Politicians are allowed to express opinions and even to disagree; it is about timing for an independence referendum, not disagreement with the need for independence.

Jim Lynch,

42 Corstorphine Hill Crescent, Edinburgh.

YOUR Agenda contributor John McKee writes: “When Scotland wanted devolution, it was delivered. When it wanted Devo Max too, that was delivered. When it demanded a say on the very future of the Union, this was acquiesced” ("Holyrood must mature now Vow has been fulfilled", The Herald, April 12).

It is notable that in his catalogue of benefits conceded, he misses out the monstrous pachyderm in the lounge. When Scotland wanted rid of the criminal and illegal weapon of mass destruction Trident, it was ignored, and will continue to be as long as Scotland harbours this sacrosanct symbol of British National status. Trident will be replaced, and is planned to continue in perpetuity. Never mind the fact that on June 7 last year, 122 states in the UN voted for a treaty banning all nuclear weapons. We will carry on ignoring the revulsion all other nations feel at our hubris.

This is an issue of such moral enormity that it renders all other considerations relatively insignificant. It threatens the very survival of the planet, and dwarfs all other problems.

All the British Nationalist parties are united in their devotion to nuclear idolatry. Scottish independence is thus not only a political aspiration, but also a compelling moral imperative. A nuclear-free Scotland with a written constitution banning nuclear weapons from our land and waters means the end of Trident in the UK. As John Ainslie has demonstrated in his masterly work Trident - Nowhere To Go, there is nowhere else in the UK that it can operate from, other than the Faslane/Coulport complex.

Mr McKee ignores the hellish reality of Trident, as do all Unionists. Independence is a normal and desirable aspiration. Freeing our English cousins from our collective nuclear nightmare makes it essential.

We strive for our freedom – and England’s too.

Brian M Quail,

2 Hyndland Avenue, Glasgow.