Searching through family papers recently, I found a piece I had written in the early 70s, for "Student", the Edinburgh University newspaper.
Clearly my mother had felt it more worthy of a place in the archives than I had, but it was interesting to read a snapshot of my views some 40 years ago.
The focus of the piece was on the possibility of the Celtic nations forging some kind of cooperation which would offset the economic reality that, from the point of view of centralist governments, they were 'fringe regions'.
I wrote about the cultural, linguistic and historic links between Scotland and Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany. It seemed to me, in an era when E F Schumacher's "Small is Beautiful" had just been published, that they possessed the links and the economic possibilities to offset their 'remoteness' from the centres of 'big business' by building on an economic model which was linked more to the lives of ordinary folk rather than investors, and based on every day needs rather than the opportunity to make a fast profit.
Re-reading my words, they seem as arch and passionate as you would expect from a 21-year-old student - and there is rather too much hopeful suggestion that the people's of these nations already felt a strong connection, based on their common histories and linked languages.
However, the timing of its rediscovery was fortuitous. Shortly afterwards, in his speech in Carlisle, the First Minister made reference to the work of the University of Central Lancashire in respect of the Irish Sea Rim project - building connections between the Isle of Man, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, South West Scotland and North West England. The economic prospects for such a development are clear - in terms of shared expertise and resources on energy, tourism, fishing, agriculture, transport and more. A day or so later came the announcement of Cornwall's recognition as having 'minority nation status' under the European Convention.
At the time of my original piece, even Scottish devolution was seen as unlikely, never mind any prospect of independence, and to refer to the Celtic nations was to invite a kind of ridicule.
Even now, in these more 'enlightened' times there are those who loudly trumpet their support for diversity in every other area of life but pour scorn on backing given to Celtic languages and culture, who suggest the way forward is via a homogenous 'culture' based on global approaches, and the need to learn Chinese as the 'business language of the future'.
Like the elephant fears the mouse, you can detect a kind of horror of anything based on local culture or small numbers, and a desperation to suggest that the 'big is beautiful' model is the only way to success, irrespective of current indications.
Language, history and culture don't divide us, they define us: they provide the self confidence to interact positively and confidently with others. When we are allowed to be proud of who we are, we can become better friends and neighbours.
A Yes vote will enable us to brush the chip from off our shoulders and show the world a positive Scotland.
And, even if your Cornish, Manx or Gadhlig isn't too strong, the benefits of boosting the economy in the north and west, to balance the current pull of south and east, should attract your support.
Small can be beautiful, balance brings perspective, and cultures need to be valued.
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