The Union

That was the subject of Sunday evening's debate chaired by Brian Taylor of the BBC, who was not wearing one of his trademark colourful ties.

First to speak was Michael Fry, a former Tory candidate now converted to the cause of Scottish independence. He was followed by Paul Scott, a well-known SNP activist. Third was Christopher Whateley, Vice Principal of Dundee University. We heard a lot of detail about the period leading up to the Union but there weren't too many fireworks despite what I had been led to believe. Scott made much of English bribery and military threats in the pre-union period. Whateley emphasised the common protestant religion of England and Scotland and also common fear of the French who were no longer seen as Scotland's Auld Ally". Free drinks were provided afterwards.