Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me

Scotland votes ‘No’!

September 19, 2014 by Helena Halme 3 Comments

Out of a hap-penance, the Englishman and I have been in Scotland during this historic time when the country decided on its future.

We’d been invited for a weekend of fly fishing on the Scottish Borders (him on the river, me tucked up in the house by an open fire writing), so I decided to kill two birds by taking a week’s holiday and adding some time to do research for the sequel to The Englishman. The novel is partly set in Helensburgh, so I needed to ‘smell the air’ and get the sense of the place again. But we also decided to take a nostalgic look at Edinburgh, a city where we spent a very happy six weeks some 30 years ago.

A selfie outside our favourite Italian
delicatessen in Edinburgh,
Valvona & Crolla
What became immediately noticeable was how engaged everyone was in the the looming vote on Independence. In Edinburgh as well as in Helensburgh people were talking politics on the street, in cafes and pubs. There were both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ signs, as well as Scottish and British flags, everywhere.

An Edinburgh household clearly supporting
a ‘No’ vote.
On the whole, the discussions seemed heated but good natured, and the only signs of political passion gone too far were a few defaced ‘No Thank You’ -signs placed on lamp posts and on fields around the countryside. In Queensferry I was accosted by a ‘Yes’ voter for sporting a ‘No’ sticker, but again, it was fairly good humoured banter rather than angry show of aggression. (The guy was also very good-looking, so I really didn’t mind…)
The Forth railway bridge in Queensferry was stunning.
As a Finn, I can understand why a small country like Scotland would wish to be independent. However, as a student of Political Science and Economics, I couldn’t comprehend how Scotland would manage on its own after so many years being part of the United Kingdom. There were so many questions left unanswered about foreign policy, taxes, health care, pensions and so on.

Politics aside, I feel privileged to have been here when the Scottish vote was cast and am – I have to admit – quite relieved about the result.

The Yes and No campaigners are almost indistinguishable
in Helensburgh

You may also like:

Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 32 Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 28 Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 48 Default ThumbnailHow I came to be in England – Part 26

Comments

  1. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    September 20, 2014 at 10:56 am

    Hi Helena – lovely to see you both together … and good to read your notes on the campaign – and the political engagement .. I too am relieved …

    Wonderful memories you'll have and those of years ago .. cheers Hilary

    Reply
  2. Helena Halme says

    September 20, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Hilary, it has been a wonderful holiday up here in Scotland – I will be sad to come back down South tomorrow!

    Reply
  3. Helena Halme says

    September 20, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

Read an Exclusive First Chapter

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Follow me on Instagram

First time on the Elizabeth Line. #elizabethline First time on the Elizabeth Line. 
#elizabethline #londonlife #tube #farringdon
I’m into orange at the moment, I wonder why? 😄🧡📙
Five weeks to publication of AN ISLAND HEATWAVE today. 💃
https://mybook.to/AIH #linkinbio
What a lovely surprise! AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hi What a lovely surprise! 
AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hit #No1 on Amazon.💃
The novel is now on pre-order offer. 
https://mybook.to/AIH
Link also in bio. 😉🧡📙
It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Fe It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Feels a bit like home. 🥶🇫🇮🇬🇧
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

writing and publishing tips

Read Exclusive First Chapter

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in