Diaspora plea

My grandfather was born in Falkirk in 1870 and I have ­always felt an affinity with Scotland. To me the country has ­always been independent, with its own flag, capital, legal system and culture.

Indeed, Scotland is one of the world’s most distinctive nations, whose people have made massive contributions to the development of the modern world.

I am saddened to contemplate the break-up of the United Kingdom as in an increasingly fragmented political landscape internationally it has always been reassuring to see that in peace and war, four peoples: the Welsh, Northern Irish, English and Scots can walk together with common ideals.

I am hoping that in the September vote this unity is ­affirmed.

Jenny Senior

Hawks Bay

New Zealand