Northern rights

The hypothetical question asked by Thomas Sinclair (Letters, 22 March) – what happens if Orkney wishes in a referendum to remain part of the New UK and Shetland does not – is most interesting.

It could equally be applied to the whole reasoning behind the proposed UK referendum in the first place. Scotland has been part of the UK for centuries. Why should the UK be split in the same way as Mr Sinclair is suggesting is absurd for the Northern Isles and Scotland?

Every argument, every nuance, every historical or geographical example used to justify the UK referendum applies in equal measure to those who would justifiably demand that the voices of the Northern Isles be heard were Scotland to separate.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh