Loathing feeling

On READING Brian Wilson’s account (Perspective, 8 February) of the SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson’s suggestion that the Ayrshire Labour councillor, Alex Gallagher, “loathes the very concept of Scotland”, I came to the conclusion that the pro-UK camp has nothing to worry about.

The SNP is going to destroy its cause and itself in a paranoia-inspired torrent of abuse. I do not believe it can help itself. It is going to be quite a spectacle not without its tragic overtones.

John Milne

Ardgowan Drive

Uddingston

Tavish Scott wonders why the Unionist camp is not presenting a strong and positive case for Scotland’s remaining thirled to Westminster (Perspective, 9 February). Simple. It hasn’t got one to present.

Derrick McClure

Rosehill Terrace

Aberdeen

Apropos of the “Swiss life” letter (8 February), care needs to be taken when comparing Scotland with other more or less similarly-sized European countries.

We have no truly Scottish major enterprises compared with Switzerland, which has Novartis, Roche, Nestlé, Glencore, ABB, Sika and more based there – with major manufacturing and research and development facilities there and worldwide – as well as its still-secretive banks and the watch industry.

Proposed oil revenues may compensate, but as stated elsewhere, there is a lack of revenue for the long term.

We can never be a Switzerland; that country too has had its downs in recent decades but had the capacity to recover quickly.

I see no plans for recovery here, other than whisky. We even sell off our milk-processing firms. Switzerland sold off much of its chocolate production, but that had a minuscule effect on its economy.

Joe Darby

Cullicudden

Dingwall