Professor John Robertson OBA
From Scotland’s Population 2024 – The Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends published yesterday, the above graph and:
Scotland’s population reached a record high of 5.55 million in 2024
The increase was mainly due to migration into Scotland
Wait, surely this cannot be happening? Aren’t Scotland’s ‘high taxes’ driving people away? See: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/failed-snp-mp-admits-partys-35009308
Why is it happening?
Scotland offers lower living costs, especially housing, compared to high-pressure areas like London and the South East. Rural and coastal regions provide a “better work-life balance” with access to nature, appealing to remote workers and families post-pandemic.
Scotland’s progressive income tax bands (higher for top earners but lower thresholds for middle incomes) and devolved policies attract skilled workers. Sectors like renewables, tech, and tourism are booming, with labor shortages in rural areas pulling in talent.
High costs, overcrowding, and policy instability in England (e.g., stricter national migration rules under Labour in 2024-2025) indirectly boost internal moves north. Anti-immigration rhetoric and urban pressures exacerbate this.
Younger demographics (e.g., post-graduates staying after Scottish universities) and a welcoming environment for families contribute. Scotland’s distinct identity and natural beauty are frequently cited in personal stories.
More detail and sources at: https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=1996151954569842935
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Colonialism by stealth.
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Aye Anon, this is something that has long concerned me. I hesitate to say much because I have a good friend who came here from Essex, and is now a fervent campaigner for Independence. Again, what we have in my constituency is quite q few immigrants, mainly from either Africa, or the Indian sub-continent. Also a few from Eastern Europe. The thing is, and this is borne out by canvassing, nearly all of them support the idea of an Independent Scotland, so is the suggestion that the opposition to our aim may come from people who are here from the other countries of the British Isles?
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Indeed, settler colonialism is a grave danger to our cause and one many have been afraid to speak of until recently. Not sure what can be done about it when so much of rural Scotland is already rife but perhaps gentle engagement with those who don’t see themselves as a problem but are certainly helping to price locals out of the areas they move into. More awareness from all quarters.
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Huge problem with second and third homes in Scotland especially the Highlands, left empty. Same actually in the cities especially Edinburgh, so many short term let’s and too many properties left empty, tax dodgers.
Also no voting unless full time resident for at least three years, essential, no part time residents or English students not living in Scotland.
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O/T On December 3, the BBC News website has this headline on its Scotland page: ‘Council sought contractor to remove flags after staff abused’.
The article reports: ‘West Dunbartonshire Council workers refused to take down the flags hanging after experiencing “unacceptable” levels of abuse from members of the public. The local authority then issued a tender for the work, only for no bids to be received.
‘Flags – including saltires – were put up in towns and cities across Scotland earlier this year after a social media campaign by a group behind anti-asylum seeker protests. It followed a similar campaign in England linked to rows over immigration.’ (my emphasis)
The article is headed by a photo showing just one flag – guess which one! What other flag/s were flown – what other symbols were been used – as part of this campaign? The attempted removal of which other flag/s by Council workers triggered abusive behaviours? We’re not told!
There is a pattern emerging here of quite ‘careful’ reporting. From the BBC News website dated November 25: ‘Workers abused while removing flags for Christmas lights’
‘Workers have been threatened while removing flags from lampposts to put up Christmas lights in Aberdeen.
‘Flags including saltires were put up in towns and cities across Scotland earlier this year after a social media campaign by a group behind an anti-asylum seeker protest.’
The article is headed by a photo of just one flag – guess which one. Further down there is a picture with four flags flying – all the same one. Guess which one?
Again no mention of the nature of the other flag/s that BBC Scotland acknowledges were present. Are these phantom flag/s or symbols that must not be named or shown in the context of abusive behaviour?
The Herald recently had this headline: ‘Why are so many Scottish saltire flags appearing on streets right now?’.
The article noted: ‘The spread of the saltire appearing on flag poles has followed a trend across the rest of the UK in recent weeks.
‘It began with St George’s flags being flown in England alongside Union Flags.’ And: ‘The saltire flag movement is an offset of the St George’s Cross movement in England and while it has partly been put down to social media, there is a more serious and perhaps darker element to it all.
‘A national campaign called ‘Operation Raise The Colours’ has been organised by Andrew Currien. That is largely focused on the flag of England and the Union Flag but has seeped into the Scottish displays too.
‘Mr Currien was previously a member of the English Defence League leadership bodyguard and currently runs security for Britain First, a party founded by members of the BNP.
‘Some of the saltires that have been raised in Glasgow have had the words ‘Raise The Colours’ written on them to show it is part of the same campaign. Other campaigns have been organised locally by people including some who work for Tommy Robinson.
‘Many involved may not be aware of this and do see it as an attempt to show pride in their country.’
One might speculate that if BBC Scotland had shared information on the nature of the other flags, the other symbols – included alongside the Saltire – whose attempted removal led to abuse of Council staff, readers would now be more aware of the issues raised by The Herald. They would now be better informed about the likely nature of the ‘patriotism’ – including pride in which ‘country’ – that characterises those perpetuating the abuse of Council workers.
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