Deacon Blue singer Ricky Ross challenged those who are undecided about how they might vote in the September 18 independence referendum to ask themselves what kind of Scotland they want to live in.
The singer joined The Courier’s referendum roadshow in the Fife village of Springfield, and in an exclusive interview, he expressed delight that so many people were turning out in the rain to discuss the issues.
He said: “I’ve wanted an independent Scotland for a long time, probably for the last 20 years.
“It’s a great chance to create a fairer and better society. I love small countries. I think they are exciting places to go to, as an artist places like Iceland, Norway and Sweden, so I’m quite excited about that possibility.
“But I am aware that it’s not something that everyone wants. I love the fact we are talking about it.”
Ricky was also in Lochgelly and Kingskettle yesterday as part of the Bus Party a touring group of artists, listening across Scotland and engaging with residents in the run up to the referendum.
He added: “What’s dead interesting is I had a conversation with someone very close to me and I was amazed how little they had thought about it.
“And I just think, see when people say the debate is terrible because they maybe watched Newsnight or hear politicians bickering, it’s this stuff at grassroots that’s important.
“People talking to neighbours. People talking about what they want.”
Earlier in the day, Cupar voted against independence according to participants in our unscientific survey on the Crossgate.
A total of 18 yellow balls were placed for Yes (21%) and 68 white balls for No (79%).
The Springfield survey revealed 33% Yes and 67% No.
Former Conservative councillor Roger Guy was distributing Better Together leaflets.
He said: “My message is that the economics of separation are totally inadequate. I cannot understand why folk should wish to vote to disadvantage the country.”
But Samuel Laszlo, 73, of Cupar a Hungarian who has lived in Fife since his family fled the Hungarian uprising of 1956 urged people to vote Yes.
The retired hospital worker said: “I can’t see why the English should dictate when Scotland could look after itself.”