Yet again we are informed by a mind-reading Yes advocate that "the fright tactics of the No

campaigners must have also played a decisive role in the eventual result" (The flier squad, Essay of the week, September 20). Francis McKee further claims the Yes campaign "unleashed Utopian forces". Presumably the supernatural powers which enable him to confidently assert the motivation of millions of No voters allow him to ascribe such noble values to those who sought the break-up of the United Kingdom. Rancour and bitterness characterised the years, months and days prior to the rejection of separation and the arrogance prominent Yes proponents in their repeated and tiresome claims that those who rejected Scottish Nationalism cannot see beyond the end of their noses will do nothing to dissipate this legacy, quite the reverse.

Duncan Macintyre

Greenock