'Braveheart' Highlander grabs TV spotlight in defence of the Union
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A KILT-WEARING Highlander has become a national online sensation following his outburst on BBC Question Time.
Nigel Kirk Hanlin, dubbed by some as Braveheart of the Better Together campaign, told last night’s audience: “I was born in Inverness, I’m a passionate Highlander, and I love Scotland."
But he said that voting in favour of Independence would be like “spitting on the grave of my mother’s father who fought for this country in the British Army”.
He said: "I will take a stand to keep the United Kingdom together. I will give my life for my country as my grandfather did in the First World War.”
During the programme’s rehearsal Mr Hanlin, who lives in Nairn, was also outspoken. The debate was centred around drugs and whether they should be legalised. Mr Hanlin said: “The Lord said there should be no drugs and I believe the Lord.”
Another member of the audience replied: “Wasn’t there wine on table at the Last Supper?”
The portrait artist’s attack on the Independence campaign is the talk of the town today.
He said: “I think I just sounded passionate about what I felt and I just sort of let it all come out. It was as easy and natural as swotting a fly off my arm.”
Just a fortnight ago Mr Hanlin roused 10 people, including Moray Conservative councillor and MSP Mary Scanlon’s spokesman, Douglas Ross, and Scottish Labour Party prospective candidate Mike Robb, to a meeting at the Nairn Community Centre for a sing-song and a pro-Union rally.
