Scotland celebrates National Day

 

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond called on Scots to think and talk about the future of their nation as the country marks St Andrew's day.

Urging Scots to put our shared interests first Scotland's First Minister said:
“Today is St. Andrew’s Day. A good day to think about the hopes and aspirations of our country.

"Scotland is infinitely more important than any First Minister, MSP or political party. Our shared interest is the Scottish national interest.

"Now is the time for us all to get to our feet and say it is our national purpose to make a better Scotland. A land of greater fairness, greater prosperity, greater opportunity.

"However, that national purpose requires that we need the powers of a nation.

"In the eleven years since devolution our parliament has delivered a lot. But it has not delivered the profound change people want.
“There is a better way.” 
 
"Scots are crying out for a better society. Not a bit better, not a wee change, not some tinkering at the edges, but a better land.


"To make real change happen, we need independence.

"Independence is the profound right of everyone, from Leith Walk to Sauchiehall Street, from Dumfries to the Isles, to enjoy the same equality of opportunity, and to live in fairer communities.

"What I mean by independence is creating and protecting jobs.

"For me independence is about economic prosperity and social justice, work for the workless, homes for the homeless.

"Independence is not an end in itself. It is the means by which we can create a better Scotland for us all. And a referendum on Scotland’s future is the means by which we can achieve the powers we need.

“I’m a Scot first, politician second.” 
 
"All my life I have fought for fairness for this country.

"I govern not for the SNP, but for Scotland. The welfare of the nation, of its five million people, is what guides my actions.

"We all want this land to be better. And I have a plan to deliver it. Give our parliament the economic and financial levers and we can have the land you want. Give us the tools and we can do the job for Scotland, build the community that knows itself, and take pride in a society which cares enough to look after the frail, the sick and vulnerable.

"It has taken a Westminster public spending crisis to make the choice stark between doing something to protect our society, as we advocate, and doing nothing, which is for others.
"I urge the nation to come together, united, over the merit of action. At the same time, please tell me what you think by visiting bepartofbetter.net

"In the next election I won’t merely be standing for the Scottish Parliament to be re-elected as your First Minister. I’ll be standing in the belief that together we can make a better Scotland.
"I hope you’ll join me in that belief.”

Explosion in Scottish Forest

Above: Garadhban Forest

 Anti-terrorism police in Scotland are carrying out an investigation into an explosion which occurred on Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area.

The explosion took place in the Garadhban Forest, near Loch Lomond in Gartocharn (about 20 miles north-west of Glasgow).

While little information has been made public, local sources indicate that the incident may have been carried out by Islamic extremists who were conducting a training camp in the area. Other possibilities put forward include armed Scottish separatist groups such as the outlawed Scottish National Liberation Army (SNLA).

Meanwhile, Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter groups are also suspected. The groups have threatened to take their small armed campaigns to England and have some support among hardline Scottish Nationalists and the large Irish community. During it's campaign, Provisional IRA units in England often stored their weapons in forests and other remote locations.

Speaking to the media, Chief Supt Calum Murray said:  

"I would stress that the site is secure and that there is no risk to public safety. As the explosion took place in a wooded area, there was no damage to property, and no-one was injured. We do want to minimize disruption to the community, and we thank the public for their patience.

"I would ask that if anyone has seen anything suspicious in or around the area, or has any information - no matter how insignificant it may seem, that they contact the police or Crimestoppers. All calls will, of course, be treated in the strictest of confidence"

Call for new probe into death of Scottish Nationalist

There have been renewed calls for an inquiry into the death of Scottish Nationalist Willie MacRae.

On the 7th of April 1985, Mr. MacRae was found dead in his car in the Scottish Highlands. He had been shot in the back of the head. MacRae was a solicitor and a very active anti-nuclear campaigner. He observed NATO activities in Scotland very closely and was putting together a case to take against them in court.

Meanwhile, a Police Officer, PC Donald Morrison has said he will sign an affidavit linking British Intelligence to the killing. PC Morrison was the last person to speak with Mr. MacRae the day that he died. PC Morrison said he had been told by senior members of the police service that Willie MacRae was "under surveillance" by unknown individuals.

Support for Scottish Independence on the rise

Support for Scottish independence was up 6% while opposition to independence was down by 8%, a recent opinion poll found.

While more people are still opposed to independence, the SNP said this opinion poll proved that Scots are becoming increasingly opposed to English interference in Scottish affairs. When asked whether the Scottish government should have more power over taxation and fiscal policy, 56% of voters said that it should.

Support for Independence was highest among younger respondents.

The overall results of the poll where:

In favour of Independence - 34% (+6%)

Opposed to Independence - 50% (-8%)

Don't Know - 16% (+2%)

The poll was carried out by YouGov.co.uk