MARCO Görlach is a straightforward and unassuming man with a growing international reputation as the founder, in 2013, of the Germans for Scottish Independence movement.

Marco is certainly a friend of Scotland and a man driven and inspired to spend his time and money promoting the international character of Scotland’s fight for independence.

On 1 November, the day that the people of Scotland were due to be stripped of all privileges and rights as citizens of the European Union, Marco had organised a series of events (pictured above) to promote the right to self-determination of the people of Scotland in Pößneck, a city in former East Germany close to the border with the Czech Republic.

Marco is not the only founder of an international movement working in support of Scotland’s independence. Raimond Dijkstra works tirelessly to promote Scotland’s cause in the Netherlands, while Giada Mazzetti leads a growing and active movement arguing Scotland’s case in Italy. They’re joined by similar movements in Australia, Canada, Catalunya, Denmark, France, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, the United States of America and, the list goes on, and on …

Just a little time spent chatting with those leading these movements confirms their motivation; they want to share their view that Scotland’s place is in Europe as an independent country. It’s also quickly recognised that the people driving these movements are Scots in every meaningful sense.

They are part of Scotland’s diaspora, part of the worldwide group of 15 million people with family connections and social networks that wind their way back to Scotland, many with family connections that are now centuries old.

In the case of the Italians for Scottish Independence movement it becomes obvious that the social values held by both the people of Scotland and the wider Scottish diaspora are not only consistent but provide the inspiration behind all of these movements, and the fuel for their continuing growth.

Giada Mazzetti explains that her movement works “for a more equal Scotland, for the opportunity to change the nation for good, to take decisions about nuclear energy and environmental policies by its own will, to reach a flourishing green economy, a fair society, a change for a better society, to have control over own finances and destiny.” Who could argue with Giada?

Colleagues in Catalunya argue that what drives international support for Scotland’s independence is perhaps even more profound. Indeed Pat Armangué explains that Scotland’s international support is driven by the ‘globalització dels valors socials d’Escòcia’ or the ‘globalisation of Scotland’s social values’, and suggests that these values are reflected in the priorities of caring for others and working to build a fairer society, priorities that many would consider the polar opposite of the isolationism and self-interest that fuels Brexit. Pat’s theory of the globalisation of Scotland’s social values clearly places Scotland at the centre of a social movement that is beyond anything imagined by Yes activists, and highlights a significant responsibility of leadership.

In practice the events now being led by the Scottish diaspora in every corner of the world are truly inspirational.

We should take heart that Jock Tamson’s bairns are doing what they have always done best; using their imagination, boundless talent and sense of fairness to shine a light on a better world.