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Will emigrants return if Scotland votes yes?


By Donna MacAllister

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THE possibility of emigrants returning to Ross-shire in the event of Scotland becoming an independent nation was flagged up during a visit by the First Minister to open a Yes campaign shop.

Among the first to meet Alex Salmond when he visited Inverness at the weekend was six-year-old Amy Marshall from Evanton, accompanied by dad Kevin (41) and grandad James (68).

Flooring specialist Kevin, who lives in Swordale Road, said his long-emigrated Canadian relatives were considering coming back to Scotland in the event of independence.

He said 16 Canadian relatives had visited the area after his grandmother Esther, also from Evanton, died in March and several said they would return to Scotland to retire if the SNP won the independence vote.

He added: “My granny was nearly 100 when she died and she was SNP all her life. I took some of the Canadians to a referendum debate in Dingwall when the secret ballot came out as 63 yes and 25 no. A couple of them were even saying the might move back to retire in the event of a yes vote.”

Mr Marshall said the First Minister spoke to the family at the event. He added: “Amy was the first that he had a wee chat with inside the shop. The three of us had a wee laugh together, we got some pictures taken and our booklets signed. Amy was so excited.”

Mr Salmond acknowledged the impact a yes vote could have in terms of people’s futures. He said: “I met two people today who left Scotland in a previous generation and who came back because of the excitement of the independence campaign.

“If that happens during the campaign, what do you think is going to happen when we actually become independent?”

The campaign shop, in the city’s Union Street, opened less than a fortnight after 60 pro-union supporters gathered at Castle Street to see Alistair Darling MP attend the launch of the Better Together campaign’s city base


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