AS a Scot exiled in England, I am naturally interested in the forthcoming vote on Scottish independence.

Rightly or wrongly, there is deep in the Scottish psyche a problem with the English.

For short spells, thanks to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Scotland functioned as an independent nation, but not for long.

Sadly, in 1707, Scotland was betrayed by its own aristocracy who had estates in England.

Be that as it may, the devolution campaign owed its success more to the film Braveheart than the efforts of politicians.

Now we have, mainly from Westminster, English commentators saying how Scotland would be all the poorer if it became independent.

This is, of course, a doubleedged sword. Many people in Scotland would still rather be poorer and live in an independent nation.

Scotland’s greatest triumph was the Battle of Bannockburn 700 years ago and its greatest tragedy the defeat at Culloden.

Anybody who has read Scottish history will never forget the barbaric behaviour of the Hanoverian English army in 1746, whose descendants are on the throne today.

The vote in September will be a turning point in Scottish history because, if the vote is no, Scotland will yet again be betrayed by its own people and if the vote is yet, the kilt-makers in Edinburgh will do a roaring trade. A yes vote could leave Scotland poorer but some things are more important than economies!

Hugh Pender, Darlington.