The only thing worse than a sore loser is a triumphalist winner and we are seeing a good few of those since the referendum result was announced.

An example of this is the letter from Hugh Andrew (Letters, September 30) in which he even tries to tell us that the 1707 Treaty of Union was an example of our ancestors recognising, "the depth of partnership with our much larger neighbour". Tell that to our national bard who wrote about it saying: "Sic a parcel o' rogues in a nation."

With regard to Mr Andrew's quote about "being in bed with an elephant", the point of that saying is that such a sleeping arrangement inevitably leads to the smaller partner being flattened.

One of the things that used to infuriate me about the Thatcher regime was the constant use of the "shut up" argument. Every criticism of that Government's unfair and vindictive measures was met with the good old "shut up" treatment. It didn't stifle debate but it certainly caused the political divide to grow even deeper and opposition to become ever more entrenched. This led to the day when Scotland at last became Tory-free. Even now, the Scottish Conservatives have an electoral mountain to climb if they ever hope to regain their once dominant position in Scotland.

Of course, it is not only the Tories who insist that anyone supporting Scottish independence needs to shut up; all the Unionist parties are similarly trying to close down debate.

It is perfectly allowable to retain a belief in independence after the referendum. I for one will never cease to believe that Scotland should be, not only independent, but a socially just republic. No amount of telling me to shut up will alter that conviction.

David C Purdie,

12 Mayburn Vale,

Loanhead,

Midlothian.

I agree with Alan Fitzpatrick (Letters, September 30) that the referendum has fuelled ill feeling, generated Anglophobia and steps should now be taken to effect a reconciliation. I am certain this could all have been avoided.

I expect many will feel that, in a sense, the whole episode has backfired on the SNP as there now seems to be calls for cutting up the cake to individually feed all four hungry nations of the Union. This may well prove to be to Scotland's disadvantage compared with the current process. Clearly the ramifications for individual political parties is far-reaching although the opportunities for party and policy renewals are equally wide ranging.

Nevertheless I have always held the view that the parochial nationalism of Scotland, comprehensively based on a simple historic boundary line from Carlisle to Berwick, was not necessarily in the best interests of people with a Scottish postcode. Indeed I never supported a Scottish Parliament in the first place and I view it now as an immovable impediment to a wider view of devolution in the UK to meet the needs of the 21st century.

There have been several times since the SNP came to power when they could have realised that the ancient border was in many ways both a hindrance and a distraction if devolution was to continue in the UK. The First Minister himself talked publicly a few months ago of working closer with areas in the north of England.

I suggest a more effective political model for financial devolution, including tax-raising powers, might have been to explore an imaginary boundary very much further south, perhaps even as far as from the River Severn up and across to the River Humber. This lost chance could have meant that Scotland and fellow Celt, Wales, would have been administratively part of a new financial entity - North United Kingdom - and London and the south would have been in terms of devolved finances within the South United Kingdom.

As it stands, we will now be subjected to endless nationalist moaning across the whole UK about the size of the slice of cake the four nations are given when we would have been better by taking the long view and treating the border more as simply a historic national boundary line.

Bill Brown,

46 Breadie Drive,

Milngavie.

I read the letters from Hugh Andrew and Alex Gallagher with a level of amusement. It would appear that in their own ways they both believe that, once the result of the referendum vote is declared, those in the minority must immediately forego everything they believed in and accept unconditionally the actions of those in the majority. I have not noticed this occurring in any other political vote whether at Westminster, Holyrood or even local councils. Alex Gallagher has not given up his party allegiance.

Democracy, like justice, must not only be done but must be seen to be done. A significant proportion of the electorate have not been convinced that the referendum was above board and the fact that the authorities and the media are determined to ignore it only adds to the suspicion. I would suggest to Hugh Andrew that a true democrat would be pressing all concerned to investigate and ascertain the true position. I am not holding my breath.

David Stubley,

22 Templeton Crescent,

Prestwick.

Chancellor George Osborne tells us that the UK faces huge economic risks. He adds: "There remains a large budget deficit and our national debt is dangerously high."

Gosh, what happened to the financial stability, security and the broad shoulders of the UK that we Scots were told to vote for less than two weeks ago?

Dr Willie Wilson,

57 Gallowhill Road,

Lenzie.

Unfortunately there is an evangelical aspect to Yes campaigners which asserts that there is only one true way, and that is an independent Scotland. If only Yes campaigners could move on from lost battles to make Scotland a better place. They could start by removing all the Yes litter from this beautiful countryside. If every ex-Yes voter removed just one Yes sticker or poster littering our cities, towns and countryside Scotland would instantly become a better place.

Neil Sinclair,

30 Clarence Street,

Edinburgh.

I was thrilled to be at Gleneagles Hotel for the final day of the Ryder Cup. I was so proud of our scenery, our golfers, our hospitality and more than anything else the behaviour of all our fans. Even the weather behaved.

Our fans were enthusiastic and noisy throughout the day and some of their attire was eccentric to put it mildly. They remained totally respectful to our opponents and their own fans. They were silent at the right times and applauded good play on both sides. Throughout the day, I often found myself beside American fans and invariably we would exchange some extremely good natured banter. Then at the closing ceremony things changed.

Our First Minister Alex Salmond was met by boos and calls of derision from a large number of my fellow countrymen. He had delivered an excellent statesmanlike opening speech. I was mortified and ashamed of my fellow countrymen.

This should have been an apolitical moment and sport and politics should always be separate.

Stewart Falconer,

Morvern,

Duchray Road,

Aberfoyle.