IT’S the day my husband Jim and I go to polling station. We’re excited, having spent the night before hanging Saltire bunting outdoors, with our flag tied onto washing line. We are so full of hope. Next morning I learn the result, I can’t stop crying, I feel hopelessness setting in. Jim took down the bunting in the early hours so as not to upset me further.
Then I hear about this new newspaper coming out, we wait to see what it’s like. It’s my voice I read, my fellow Yessers haven’t dispersed, they are still there. I have had The National delivered since day one.
You are still true to the concept that we could be independent. I will defend The National to everyone because, as I tell people, the paper is not a mouthpiece for a political party. The National will print the good and the bad, which makes them truly unique. I like their honesty, unlike elsewhere.
The National has given us a voice, a place were patriots can come together.
Thanking you all so very much.
Isabella and Jim Main
Cumbernauld
Saor Alba gu brath
FINDING the second issue at the local newsagents was a truly eureka moment. It meant that, at long last, those of us who were of an “independence mind” could have a voice. As one from an earlier generation I still do not have any connection with social media except for that relayed to me by the younger generations of the family, so had not been aware that a new title was about to appear. I’ve bought every issue since!
Having found you, I have been very lucky to have my “two-pennyworth” printed a lot times in your pages, which would certainly not have happened with any of the other daily publications available to us here in Scotland.
When one considers where the independence vote peaked in 2014 without any press support, just think where it will reach with the support of The National next time round.
Beyond politics you have brought to all of us a huge amount of excellent historical material which we ordinary members of Scottish society would not otherwise have accessed; the profile of the Scottish composer from Victorian times, Hamish MacCunn being just one example. Lang May Yer Lum Reek – it would be a gey dreich day without you!
George M Mitchell
Dunblane
THE National is the first and only daily newspaper I have ever had delivered. Here’s to you!
Jan Cowan
via email
I HAVE not missed an issue of The National since it started. Not only that, I absolutely refuse to buy any other paper including my own local papers as they continue to fail to represent the independence views of the majority of their readers. In addition, they do not call out politicians for their lying. I will soon become a subscriber to help you reach the ten thousand steps target.
Steve Cunningham
Aberdeen
In a sea of mainstream media mediocrity The National stands out as a newspaper with real journalists, those who aren’t afraid to ask questions and demand answers. By openly supporting Scottish independence The National helps to show that independence is normal and that Scotland has nothing to fear from being an independent nation, making its own decisions about its future. Keep up the good work.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren
Paisley
Imagine when we had no choice
We had no friend to hear our voice
No vehicle for communication
For us that yearned to free our nation
Those silent wishes found no redress.
Ignored by Scotland’s Unionist press
Then came The National... such relief
No more were we lions without teeth
You have helped us in our fine crusade
Stood by our side, came to our aid.
The National, our shining knight
Has brought our aims so close in sight
Thank you, thank you, there is no doubt
You are our water, ended the drought.
No desert now, no unheard voices
You are a gift and a nation rejoices.
George Robertson
I tried writing seriously about what The National means to me but it was awful so I penned this wee ditty instead:
Happy fifth Birthday National
You’re becoming awfy fashionable
As Boris maddens more and more
And brings independence to the fore
Hamish’s column is always great
Scot’s history we should celebrate
And the page in Scots makes me glad
Reaching out to both lass and lad
All in all a great wee paper
I’d hate for it to go up in vapour
But it’ll be around for years and years
Now go have yourselves a few beers!
Kathleen Byron
Edinburgh
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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