I am a Shetlander

I would imagine that Mr Inkster’s remarks regarding Yes Shetland (Glasgow) are directed at me (Sign the petition; SN, 02/04/14).

I would inform him that I had not even heard of the organisation let alone been involved in it. I live over 100 miles from Glasgow and visit the city only about once every two years or so.

I was born and brought up in Shetland; I spent over 20 years there and speak with a Shetland accent. In other words, I’m a Shetlander.

Throughout my time on the mainland I have maintained a constant interest in Shetland affairs through my many relatives and friends who live there and when my wife retires in three years’ time we’ll probably end up back in Shetland.

Does Mr Inkster think that I have no right to make a comment about the islands petition?

I share most of his ambitions for Shetland, but as I have said in my letter I feel that a poorly thought out referendum is not the way to achieve more autonomy.

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The wording on the referendum does not make it completely clear what people are being asked to sign up to.

We both know that many people will sign the islands referendum thinking that by holding out for Shetland independence they will have a much greater share of the oil revenues. That will not be the case.

Willie Nicolson
Tayport