Sir, – The abject failure of our devolved Scottish Government to provide a prompt and coordinated response to help people in rural Grampian in the wake of Storm Arwen tells you everything you need to know about what life would be like in an independent Scotland. Soundbites and Saltire-waving are no substitute for practical action. This is one crisis for which the SNP cannot blame Westminster. Dr Ian A Gillanders, Queens Road, Aberdeen.