Nuclear shield

We are asked again by R Mill Irving (Letters, 6 July) who would attack Scotland.

His letter is reminiscent of the complacency and naivety of those who tried to appease Hitler in the 1930s.

We saw then what the Nazis thought of “little” Norway’s neutrality and inoffensiveness.

Does Mr Irving really believe that there are no groups of religious or political zealots who, given control of a country and the ability to deliver a nuclear attack on Western cultures they manifestly despise, would hesitate for a second?

Pakistan and Iran are not the most stable of counties and humanity, unfortunately, continues to produce men who think like Hitler and Stalin and Pol Pot and Saddam Hussein, and who would not care whether Scotland was part of the UK or not and who are only deterred by the thought of instant and immediate obliteration if they should ever try.

That is what has kept this country free and safe for many, many decades.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh

I am confused by R Mill Irving’s way of thinking if he genuinely believes an independent Scotland would never be attacked by another country if we were free of nuclear weapons.

There are plenty of unhinged despots in charge of countries all over the world.

There is no guarantee that all leaders will behave rationally and kindly towards other countries – even their nearest neighbours.

ANGELA INNES

Dundas Street

Edinburgh