I am English and lived in north-east Scotland for 6 years, leaving two years ago. Magnus Linklater is totally accurate in describing an inward thinking, backward looking, increasingly anti-English country with a 500 year old chip on its shoulder. The Scottish problem is that it fails to join in.

Helen , Devon, UK

Magnus Linklater's view of Alex Salmond as arrogant can be translated as 'I can't abide that man's self-confidence in putting the interests of his country before the unionist priorities for Scotland - nuclear weapons, nuclear plants and waste, low flying aircraft and dead soldiers in foreign wars.'

Peter Curran, Kirkliston, Scotland

Re Einstein's quote on nationalism - Einstein was a totally committed Zionist, the movement of Zionism being about establishing a national homeland for the Jews. Ergo, Einstein himself was a passionate Israeli nationalist.

Al, Leeds, England

What happens when Stetland and Orkney put their interests first and decide it's their oil. It could be the richest country in the World.

Or maybe it'll decide to stay as part of England.

Either way, only the bit of oil in the middle could be classed as Scottish.

Alex, Tunbridge Wells,

A Scotland with oil revenue would be quite well off if the current oil price was in place. However without new discoveries the benefits would only last so long. All political leaders in England Scotland Wales etc should be looking to address energy issues together, devolved or not.

phil, sacramento, USA

All nationalist movements arte rascists by definition. The runt of the Scottish diaspora living in Scotland do their more adventurous, outward looking brethren a diservice.

JeremyinOz, Perth, Scotland & Australia

"Scotland would be the third-richest country in EU in wealth per head." Not if all those Scottish heads, of blood and heart, all come home again.

David Masu, Zürich,

Being of Scottish blood and heart but raised in England, I have recently moved to Scotland from London.

Having seen England slowly sink under the mire of PC and multiculturalism I am proud to be part of a country that celebrates it's unique identity. I see no goose stepping in Princes Street.

Ian, Falkirk, Scotland

There is no harm in being proud of your country and promoting the nation. I am English and it is a shame that we as a country seem to be ashamed and hide our pride in our history, culture and development. In a developed EU there is no reason why Scotland and England cannot have autonomy.

D Fielding, egham, england

The CFP was not 'at the heart of the treaty of Rome'. It was stitched up just before we joined in 1972. Its aim was not to conserve anything, but to to steal British fish for continental fleets. Heath told Pompidou that he would surrender on this. Read Palliser's minutes of the meetings in Paris.

John (2), London, England

I am not from the United Kingdom, so don't hold that against me. But I was wondering why, as Mr Linklater has done, do people refer to Scotland, Wales, England and NI as countries? To me France, the USA (and the United Kingdom) are proper, sovereign countries.

David Snell, Melbourne, Australia

Having one's cake and eating it is what devolution is all about. Being part of the UK and yet free to make one's own decisions on health, education, local matters, but assisting in the ultimate destruction of the UK. New Labour should have offered Scotland independence or staying in in 1997 instead.

Cadzow, Greater London, UK

Name a country (and its politicians) that doesn't put its needs first. What a ridiculous complaint to make.

Lotte, copenhagen , Denmark

If Scotland becomes independant, I will be the first refugee from England. How good it would be to live in a free country where the government listen to their people.
The trouble is, they wouldn't want me. And you think the English are race concious? HadriansWall will be rebuilt to keep us out.

Ken, Bedford, England

Wow - a government that puts its own people first. Where can we get one of those?

Emma, Southampton, UK

It`s the SNP that `s putting me off from travelling "home"!! How are they going to get round that one then. Small minded attitude and a collective "chip on their shoulder". Still, there`s no-one as deaf as those that don`t want to hear. It`s a shame to watch, but at least I don`t have to live there.

Jim, Herts,

Self-interest, in British politics? Surely not!

John Terris, Perpignan, France

Well I'll not be hurrying back. In fact if Scotland does gain its independence I'll be first in the queue to get an English Passport

Alan M Benzie, London,

As an English man i have to say that i would vote for the SNP anytime over Nu Labour, if scotland at the next election votes out of step with England (ie no Tory MP's) then it should get the chance to go it alone, if that is what it wants we would all be better off Scots included

Philip Jowett, Swadlincote, England

so if nationalism is an 'infantile sickness', magnus, does that mean you want all borders abolished? Or are you a british nationalist, but think that is morally superior to being a scottish nationalist? or are you possessed of infantile sickness yourself? or are you just confused?

james, glasgow, scotland

Your arguments make no sense, Magnus. Against nuclear submarines because the use of nuclear weapons would be illegal, in line with their anti-nuclear stance. There's no contradiction if they're in favour of aircraft carriers.

Europe - generally good except for the CFP. Makes perfect sense.

etc...

Edward Freshwater, Aberdeen, Scotland

Nuclear power is "inappropriate" for Scotland. So, just as the sandals wearing anti-nuclear types living on the south coast are happy to heat their homes with energy sent from France, and produced by their nuclear pwer stations, when our system can't cope, would the Scots turn down the same from us?

James Buckingham, York,

If Scotland wants independence Salmond should get the English to vote, they'd win in a moment. Remember with independence comes big bills, Scotland would become responsible for pensions and benefits and rail funding, EU membership alone will cost £900m. No more English subsidies.

Stephen, St. Ives, England

SNP - does exactly what it says on the tin.

The people of Scotland voted for a democratically elected Government (SNP) who will look after the interests of Scotland. The people of Scotland like it that way.

Politics have changed in Scotland Mr Linklater, in case you hadn't noticed

J Mathews, Glasgow, Scotland

I suppose Steven wants to go back to using peat because, Steven, face it, no amount of windmills is going to heat your porage.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

I wonder how desperate these attacks on Salmond in the run up the referendum are going to be. Salmond has been elected by the Scottish people to govern in their interest so let's not criticize him for doing that. Scotland can work with others in the world when it, like other nations, is independent.

Mark, London,

Times are getting tough for unionists. Its funny how they don't notice these political traits in any other parties, only ones that want Scotland to be a normal country.

I see a Scotland nowadays where people think what Scotland can do, not be told what it can't.

Scott, Perth , Scotland

and forcing them into the street at gunpoint. As for linking Salmond with an Italian dictator, the man was Democratically elected by the people of Scotland. The Scots are very capable of helping others after they put their own house in order

Denis, Glasgow, Scotland

Come on, Magnus. Every nation has to look to its own interests first and then at the wider world. The Homecoming is a great idea. Look at the influence of the Irish diaspora. Only in England, where there is no national government, does the government ignore national interests - and that will change.

Ian Campbell, W Horsley, England

I vote in elections for people who will make a difference to my local community and society at large.

If we do not have a stable and resourceful country, how can we possibly help others in their time of need.

Independance may not be the worst thing to ever happen to this country.

P Flannery, Glasgow, Scotland

It looks like Linklater has swallowed Gordon Brown's "vision" of nuclear power, which is inappropriate for Scotland. The SNP have always opposed nuclear - it is not only the SNP who are against nuclear in Scotland, it is the Scottish people. Do you remember that wee thing called democracy, Magnus?

Steven, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, European Union

The comments here remind me a bit of the ones I read when Putin and Russia are criticised. Unfortunately promotion of your own interests over everyone else and emphasis of divisions is not a good characteristic but one found too often in too many places including the SNP today.

David Hope, York,

Speaking as an Englishman, the SNP is entirely right to place Scotland and the Scottish first. I only wish our goverment in Westminster would realise that its ego far exceeds its ability to influence international events

jon, wolverhampton, UK

The biggest break for Salmons SNP is not just Browns bad fortunes but Cameron and his Tories anti Scotland stance.Cameron is making it easy for middle of the road Scottish people to vote for the SNP.A Cameron lead government will lead to Scotlands independence.Wales and Cornwall following later.

Bill Rees, Truro, Cornwall

I cannot understand the headline. What's the point of having cake if you cannot eat it?

Chris, Birmingham,

Sooner the whinging Scots have gone the better, but if they go why should they assume automatic membership of the EU? It would be in the interests of the EU to block separatist states (because it deters separatism in Spain, France, Italy etc)

C Rance , Reading, England

It would be a pleasant change if England took the same attitude, and looked for once to looking after the interests of the indiginous population, instead of trying to solve the rest of the world's problems ourselves. Unfortunately we don't have any English politicians with any backbone.

Tony Pegg, Nottingham, England

The longer the honeymoon period (with the electorate) of a politician, the more suspicious I get: especially a nationalist one, civic or ethic, nationalism has always been a sticky subject.
As a Scot, I want the best for Scotland. Federalise the UK completely now, and give Scotland the oil.

Graeme, London,

Magnus seems to be getting ever more desperate as the SNP continue to do well in Scotland, and the Union continues to loosen. What's wrong with wanting to be in the EU, but want to change fish policy? Or must Scotland accept the EU exactly as it is forever? SNP is popular in Scotland - get over it

John, London, England

Sadly for Mr Linklater, the Scots who have distinguished themselves around the world tend to be white. In affection for their homeland , they wear kilts from time to time. I don't think they would be rushing back to Scotland to celebrate a Nigerian yam festival. A strong brand should be embraced.

Austin Scott, Chicago, USA

It is precisely your kind of sneering that has been the best recruiting sargent the SNP ever had Mr. Link later.

Scotland has for to long listened to your kind belching their after lunch derision. Your words will not make the map pink again. Scotland has moved on and left you old fossils behind.

Duncan Macniven, East Kilbride., SCOTLAND.

Who defines the "wider needs of the international world"? - a concept that's too amorphous and open to hi-jacking by the rich and influential, eg financiers & pop stars. There's nothing wrong with politicians looking to the interests of the people who elected them. Thinking otherwise is madness.

Neil, Galloway, Scotland

Linking Alex Salmond to Hitler and Musolini is low even by your standards Magnus. I love the way patriotic unionists are free of the "rash of nationalism": only others suffer from this defect? Celebrating indigenous culture is not a sin nor is it an insult to the new Scots who are part of our nation

Charles Addison, Gourock,

This is a quite dreadful tirade against a resurgent Scotland.
You bring up all the old cliches more than the SNP do. I am satisfied that we have a group of people in Scotland who are unreservedly for Scotland for a change instead of trying to be a regional part of a larger unit. Shame Linklater.

Alan Davidson, Brussels, Belgium