Best friends have the broadest shoulders; don’t be a Scottish cult.

A friend of mine died recently; by the time you read this her funeral will have been. We got to know each other through our common desire for Scotland’s Independence and that is also how the fork in the road occurred – for she was a Sturgeonite and I a Salmondista.

We’d much in common, she was getting divorced and I did divorces. Irene lived in Clackmannan but I decided not to as Alva is far more pictorious and fetching. We were both SNP councillors in the wee Coonty, not at the same time and that’s probably a loss for the good people of the county. There were dark days when mad humour and lurid jokes got us through. We shared admiration for the SNHS which saved and prolonged our lives.

As my leg was jettisoned, Irene kept my spirits up; we argued about strategies and our hopes. When Irene had her op, and lost her right arm, Matt and I visited and we enjoyed mental laughs posting saltires on her bed and giving thanks that she’d won through.

There were a few more Bannockburn and AUOB marches and rallies before the grand split of 2021 by which time Irene was working for Mr John Nicolson. She knows I forgave such transgression. After all, the goal is Independence and country before party. Irene also understood my defection to ALBA and its importance for me. We were friends allies and co-conspirators. Scotland United. Irene saw and understood what drives me, and why.

In lockdown, as my heart was in my boots, my Dad having died and life so hard, the proverbial chap came to the door – wee Irene with a cartoon she had commissioned – Irene and me at Bannockburn and the slogan – ‘ ye dinnae need tae gie an arm and a leg’ – black humour which relieved my grief and for which I will be eternally grateful.

Scotland’s tribulations are painful; our people hurt too much. All that is needed is for each of us to have a fraction of the courage Irene had – to stand up and say – this is my land, my people, this is my home and I believe we can do better when we do it by ourselves, for ourselves. That echoes Margo’s words of 2012 when she enjoined us each to bring one more to our cause. Irene would add that unity of purpose is necessary regardless of party loyalty; for country matters most.

Rest in eternal peace Irene, and we will attain the freedom for which you so courageously contended.