ONE of Scotland’s most revered writers appears to have lost some of his long-standing enthusiasm for Scottish independence, as he insisted the country “is turning out as Tory as Westminster”.
Alasdair Gray – whose words are etched into the side of the Scottish Parliament – expressed doubts when asked about a second independence referendum in the aftermath of Brexit.
He told Prospect magazine: “That is what I did hope. Unfortunately, the independent Scotland—in so far as Scotland has its independence—is turning out as Tory as Westminster.”
The Glasgow-born author has been a high-profile proponent of independence, penning a book called Why Scots Should Rule Scotland in 1992.
However, in his latest interview he insisted he was “disappointed in the way Scotland has taken”, citing cuts in services and a failure to counteract UK militarism.
The 84-year-old sparked in controversy in 2012 with an essay he wrote referring to English "settlers and colonists" in Scotland, although he said his remarks had been taken out of context.
Mr Gray, who is best-known for his landmark 1981 novel Lanark, is unable to walk after a fall in 2015 but continues to produce work.
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