R D Kernohan expresses eloquently (May 23) the anxiety experienced by old Tory unionists as they realise they can no longer count on the certainties of yesteryear.

He must not be allowed, however, to escaped unchallenged in his assertions about what he deems to be two cardinal errors of Scottish nationalism, namely that it deeply underestimates the value of continuity, order, and stability in society and that nationalism defines its political and cultural priorities in ways which are essentially limiting rather than liberating.

The reality is that the SNP, the political voice of Scottish nationalism, has, by fighting within the rules of the current political system and by accepting that its legitimate aims might need to be achieved gradually via the route of devolution, shown that it places a high premium on continuity, order and stability. The distressing anglophobia which Kernohan describes so sadly is, he must be reminded, a product of the Union he so admires. It is a sign that change is needed rather than that the old order should be preserved.

And, as for nationalism being limiting rather than liberating, is it not at least a possibility that an independent Scotland will be more internationally minded and outgoing than the Eurosceptic ''Little England'' UK Governments that have represented us in the recent past?

Bob Kernohan should swallow his prejudices and recognise the truth of Douglas Crawford's words, which he quotes but does not refute, that with independence for Scotland, ''England will have lost a surly neighbour and found an interesting friend''. He might also discover, in an independent Scotland, the formation of a friendly party of the centre right that accommodates his tolerant political philosophy more closely than today's strife-torn and directionless UK Conservative Party.

I McKee,

37 Fernielaw Avenue,

Edinburgh.

May 24.

IN your report, Scotland says No (May 21), it is stated that a recent Herald poll indicates that ''Even among those planning to vote SNP 11 months from now, 40% say they would prefer Scotland to remain part of the UK, a finding which is likely to send SNP leader Alex Salmond back to think again about the euphoria of recent party standings''.

Perhaps I am wrong, but Scotland became part of the UK as the result of the Union of the Crowns, not the Union of the Parliaments. Indeed, as the SNP platform would retain the monarchy, the official SNP goal is an independent Scotland within the United Kingdom. However, Great Britain would be history, as they say.

Ed Margerum,

17 Plymouth Street,

Salem, MA 01970, USA.

May 21.