Oh Nicola! We’re not as green as we’re cabbage looking! ???????

I've just checked DH's lineage and apparently they were whisky distillers!

But am I right in thinking that since the Union independence has been on the agenda again since 19th century, I’m sure I read an article about it being a long running issue for Scotland?(I was looking at the history of Plaid Cymru in Wales at the time). I just can’t see everybody ever wanting the same solution, it’s exactly the same here in Wales.

I think everyone forgets that Mary Queen of Scots son inherited the English throne - so Scotland took over England hundreds of years ago!

Don't worry, Aveline, it's something we've never forgotten!!

I did feel very sorry for Mary, apparently she stayed in a Hall very near to where I lived (years later).

Casdon I think everyone forgets that Mary Queen of Scots son inherited the English throne - so Scotland took over England hundreds of years ago! Actually Scottish history is complicated and Scotland as a country was never particularly coherent: lowland Scots and highland Scots were very different and then there were the border Scots!
Lowland Scots were, generally, more business like and practical and were more for the union than the Highlanders who followed the romantic notion of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Of course that's a massive simplification of more complex factors not least the colossal failure of the Darien scheme which left Scotland so bankrupt they signed up to the Act of Union.

I thought Scotland began fighting for independence centuries ago though Aveline, so isn’t there always going to be discord between those who want it and those who don’t, regardless of the outcome of any referendums in the future?

As one who wants a straightforward as opposed to an 'easy' life I just want 'independence' out of the picture. I want a Scottish government that works with the rest of the UK governments for the benefit of the Scottish people. The current Scottish government seems to want to be deliberately different regardless of the cost or potential detriment to their electorate.
The first Scottish governments were peopled by bright experienced MSPs. Now they're a lacklustre bunch more akin to town councillors at best and invisible at worst. Donald Dewar must be uneasy in his grave.

Pantglas2

This is what stood out for me volver not that I disagree you understand, but let’s not pretend that your wish for affluence won’t be detrimental to many.

I think that's the exact opposite of what I said. ?

GrannyGravy13

Volver with respect are you saying that you will vote for the SNP regardless of their record because they are the party offering a further referendum on independence ?

I haven't said I will vote for anybody

This is what stood out for me volver not that I disagree you understand, but let’s not pretend that your wish for affluence won’t be detrimental to many.

Volver with respect are you saying that you will vote for the SNP regardless of their record because they are the party offering a further referendum on independence ?

GrannyGravy13

Would you be happy for those explanations from Conservative voters who just do not want a Labour Government in Westminster Volver ?

With respect GG13, voting for a party of government is rather different from wanting your country to be independent

Pantglas2

And that volver is how some folks saw leaving the EU....and have been crucified ever since!

For good reason.

Because Brexit was going to be the easiest thing ever, remember? EU membership was the cause of all our problems, leaving was going to solve all our problems, remember?

J52

Callistemon21

The Second Severn Crossing - who knew there was a train running underneath it?

I did, I went under the Severn as a child on my way to visit relatives in Cardiff. I was very excited at the thought of going under the water.

Ps J52 there is a train attached to the underside of the Second Severn Crossing (bridge) which is for workmen - fascinating.

I never knew until I watched Michael Portillo!

J52

Callistemon21

The Second Severn Crossing - who knew there was a train running underneath it?

I did, I went under the Severn as a child on my way to visit relatives in Cardiff. I was very excited at the thought of going under the water.

Oh, I've done that on the train a few times, I hated it. Sitting with clenched teeth and fists until we got through.

I love the Second Severn Crossing, sorry, the Prince of Wales Bridge!

And that volver is how some folks saw leaving the EU....and have been crucified ever since!

Would you be happy for those explanations from Conservative voters who just do not want a Labour Government in Westminster Volver ?

Voting SNP is not the same as voting for independence.

Wanting independence is not the same as believing implicitly in every word that comes out of Nicola Sturgeon's mouth, or every policy the SNP have. Most Scots that I know are perfectly well aware of that.

The best way to not have an SNP government, if that is what you want, is to vote for independence. Because it really is that important to people; if the SNP are the only mainstream party in Scotland offering its people independence, people are going to vote for them. Some people are able to see past economics and vote for the country they want us to be, not just for affluence.

Some of us are willing to give things up for independence and the country we want. Others just want an easy life.

Obviously you're not volver and I respect your point of view but there plainly are a lot of people who vote based on emotion rather than cold hard economics and experience of current Scottish government. It's the only explanation I can think of.

Do people honestly think we are sitting here in Scotland and that the press is somehow being leant on to only report positive things about the Scottish Government? Do people think we are living in glorious oblivion, unaware of anything except unicorns and ice cream?

Some recent Herald headlines : Jason Leitch “misrepresenting law” to defend Nicola Sturgeon’s facemask slip.; Davidson: make Sturgeon pay for 15 years of failure; Sturgeon denies “cover up" over missing key ferries document; outcry as SNP exclude media from local election launch. Then there’s a letter; How can anyone still have faith in Nicola Sturgeon?

Some recent Scotsman headlines : Scottish Land, the SNP and the Green, Green rip off; What Ferrygate tells us about how the SNP treats its friends; Nicola Sturgeon defends putting IndyRef into local election manifesto.

Some recent Dundee Courier headlines : SNP running out of culprits for mess it has made and may decide Nicola Sturgeon’s day is done; Nicola Sturgeon’s NHS crisis is a threat to COP26; Sturgeon is no giant, she’s just surrounded by pygmies; Nicola Sturgeon is a COP26 hypocrite; Sturgeon urged to drop ‘triple whammy of anti-driver taxes’

It’s not the Scots with the chips on their shoulder. Not the Scots with the persecution complex. It’s just so blooming insulting that anyone thinks we are so naïve that we are just following on like little Scottish sheep.

And when does the Scottish media ever have the temerity to criticise anything the Blessed Nicola and her minions say? The Times Scotland section seems to be the only outlet these days that dares to point out the assorted failures and money pits - ferries, Prestwick Airport, Bifab, new hospitals, falling education standards-which Ms Sturgeon once insisted was the issue she should be judged on but let’s forget that now, the politicised Civil Service, the missing £600, 000 etc etc. I could go on but the Scots with chips on their shoulders will just rubbish everything I say. If you just divert to saying Johnson is worse it still doesn’t excuse the SNP government for its ineptitude. And by the way I’m married to a Scot and we live on a Scottish island.

Callistemon21

The Second Severn Crossing - who knew there was a train running underneath it?

I did, I went under the Severn as a child on my way to visit relatives in Cardiff. I was very excited at the thought of going under the water.

Yes, I never knew until we watched Michael Portillo although we used to go and watch the progress of the building work.

Oh, Portillo and that train!! ??

The Second Severn Crossing - who knew there was a train running underneath it?

I wasn't talking about Scotland in particular but the UK as a whole.

I know that Callistemon but I couldn't think of any successful English projects. I'm sure I would if I lived there. The Aberdeen by-pass will take some beating for being late and over budget