Diplomatic debts

I applaud Tom Peterkin’s ­explanation of the currency and debt issues that a new independent Scottish Government would face (18 September).

But what a pity he omitted to mention the debt that Scotland would shed.

Think of all the British ­embassies in every country, with expensive, ostentatious buildings and defence attachments, with mind-boggling salary budgets for Oxbridge diplomats, not to ­mention locals.

Running expenses, the daily diplomatic bag and so on, are all paid for by Scots as part of the UK.

An independent Scotland would be relieved of this burden. She could think afresh about the new Scottish embassies – simple buildings with less need for ­defence fitments.

Nor would we need to have one in every country. Scotland would bring a breath of fresh air into more than the United ­Nations.

Margaret E Salmond

Dunbar Street

Aberdeen