IT was already known that they were Scotland in Disunion but now the self-appointed main campaigners against Scottish independence are Scotland in Distress.

In an extraordinary development even by the standards of Scotland in Union, the organisation has sent round a pitiful cry for cash, pleading poverty despite the claimed contributions coming from several landed gentry who wanted to be anonymous.

The soliciting by e-mail comes not long after the scandal in which a list of the secret donations made to Scotland in Union (SIU) was made available to pro-independence campaigners including The National – much to the chagrin of those donors and the group alike.

We revealed that the group which describes itself as 'grassroots' was in fact targeting Scotland's aristocracy in search of funds.

That scandal followed the ‘defection’ supporters to a new group called Unity UK over the issue of Brexit – Unity UK likes Brexit while SIU isn’t tholed to it. In a move that may not be unconnected to secret donations being no longer secret, SIU now faces what appears to be an existential threat as its e-mail pleaded: “We really need your help”.

Supposedly having some 25,000 supporters, it seems only 500 of those make any kind of financial contribution.

According to The Herald, the e-mail the group sent out stated: “Scotland in Union is funded by supporters just like you and we really need your help.

“Anything you can contribute to our campaign would be greatly appreciated, and will allow us to build our movement to answer the divisive rhetoric from the nationalists and remind people of why it’s great to be part of the UK.

“Currently, around 1 in 50 of our supporters donate to Scotland in Union. If everyone gave just £3 per month, we would be able to grow our campaign and plan for the future. Can you chip in?”

Boasting of its professional staff, though not saying how much they are paid, SIU had former Labour MSP Graeme Pearson as its first chief executive but he lasted until August of last year and was replaced by former Labour MP Pamela Nash.

The SNP has responded to the news saying SIU the group was being forced to “put round the begging bowl to remain afloat”.

SNP MSP George Adam said: “Scotland in Union are a discredited Tory front who have hit the headlines in recent weeks for all the wrong reasons. No wonder they are haemorrhaging support and having to put round the begging bowl to remain afloat.

“They’re fully reliant on bailouts from a handful of Tory toffs, who only have their landed interests at heart. Labour politicians should be embarrassed by this, yet they continue to play a central role in the organisation.

“As more people see the damage that the unionist parties are set to inflict upon Scotland through Brexit, the more people will realise the benefits of taking decisions for ourselves.”

It’s yet more trouble for SIU which is already being reviewed by the Electoral Commission over alleged undeclared donations.

An SIU spokesperson told The Herald: “The failure of the SNP and its second-rate MSPs to persuade Scots to back their independence obsession clearly has them rattled and they have resorted to more desperate smears.

“We take the nationalists’ current fascination with us as a sincere compliment. We are grateful for all of the support we receive, whether it be large or small donations, people who volunteer their time or simply share our messages and arguments online.

“We look forward to the day there is no longer any need for a campaign like Scotland in Union. While our schools, NHS and economy suffer because of the SNP Government’s fixation with independence, it’s clear we still have work to do.”