Neil Lochiel interviewed Ted Christopher in issue 15.

Andrew Collier caught up with cabinet minister Bruce Crawford.

Kenneth Gibson MSP went to the dogs.

First Minister Alex Salmond, Peter Murrell Chief Executive, Rob Gibson, Blair Jenkins, Gordian Mothersole, Sion Rees Williams and Rona Mackay all featured in this issue.

Frieda Brepoels a N-VA member of the European Parliament sent us an overview of the current status of Flanders 2012.

Alyn Smith’s new series A Note from Brussels started in this issue.

Jana Dippie Garnock Valley and West Kilbride Branch featured in Around the Branches

Bruce McFee’s article updated readers on Marten’s progess - www.martensprogress.co.uk 

Issue 15

YES Campaign

Andrew Collier travelled to Brussels to chat with Alyn Smith MEP.

Rona Mackay interviewed ‘The Voice’ Brenda Cochrane in issue 14.

Maggie Stanfield also kept an election day diary in this issue of the magazine.

Bill Campbell interviewed the Wee Flag Makers.

Gordon Casely’s article was on the unicorn of Scotland.

Votes for 16 year olds was the topic of David Linden, National Convener of Young Scots for Independence article.

Peter Murrell, Chief Executive - The Countdown has begun.

Andrew Collier’s Baby Bios featured Dennis Robertson MSP and Colin Keir MSP.

Around the Branches with Ian MacDonald Bearsden South Branch.

Lorena Lopez de Lacalle of the Basque Country’s Eusko Alkartasuna reported on the Basque Country’s Independence movement.

Alan Ross, Lochlee Ward and John Alexander, Strathmartine Ward had kept an election day diary for their feature in the magazine.

David McEwan Hill, Rob Gibson MSP, Councillor Fred Hall and Rona Mackay all featured in this issue.

Jim Henderson, National Fundraiser Issue 14:

Having just entered our third year of production I am happy to say that the subscription numbers for Independence magazine continue to grow. Importantly, as the cost base is stable, this means that the full value of every new subscription flows as pure profit into the Party’s coffers – and that is money that will be vitally important in the two plus years until the referendum in 2014.

The magazine has become a major source of income for the Party and taps into two areas where we have had little success in raising funds in the past – advertising and functions. Those subscribers who have been with us from the start can’t help but notice the growth in the range and size of organisations that are now willing to be associated to the Scottish National Party through the magazine.

The story is the same with the magazine’s annual St Andrew’s Dinner. The Party centrally has over the years run very few such functions, and where it has these have been more commemorative rather than fundraising. I am sure that those who attended the first dinner in 2010 thought it a great success, but it was well beaten by last year’s event where we had an additional 100 people attending, including a number of organisations outwith the Party - and it’s always great to take money from non Party members.

To date Independence Magazine has contributed over £35,000 to Party funds and I am sure that this figure will increase dramatically over the next two years as we increase our subscription numbers without the large initial advertising cost we incurred to get the venture off the ground.

This will be money to be used in the Referendum Campaign, so remember, if you can persuade someone else to subscribe, their £60 annual subscription will all go to return a YES vote in 2014.

Issue 14

Yes - The countdown has begun!

The Editor had a chat with Alastair McDonald in issue 13.

Alastair will play at the 2012 National St Andrews Dinner.

You can email Alastair on ali1320@live.co.uk

www.corbanrecordings.com

Jordi Solé i Ferrando of the ERC in Catalunya wrote for issue 13.

Christina McKelvie told us why she had been inspired by Winnie Ewing in issue 13.

Neil Lochiel met with The Society of William Wallace’s convener, Duncan Fenton, and office bearers Gary Stewart and George Boyle to discuss all things Wallace and the centenary of the society.

Joan McAlpine featured in issue 13,  as did Rob Gibson and Andrew Collier interviewed Derek Mackay.

Ian Thomson from Manchester told us why he doesn’t want a vote in 2014.

Ken Gowans Inverness Branch was interviewed in Around the Branches.

English author Sarah Crome told us why she is passionate about Scotland’s spirit of independence.

Issue 13

Peter Murrell is primed for Independence.

Neil Lochiel interviewed Greek author Konstantina Ritsou in issue 12.

Rona Mackay interviewed Jimmy Watson, whose family are working to raise the profile of Thomas Muir of Huntershill.

Lesley McDonald,  Jason Henderson,  Rob Gibson, Andrew Collier and Rona Mackay all had articles in this issue.

The Editor Interviewed Community Windpower the 2011 sponsors of the National St Andrew’s Dinner.

Angus Robertson’s article reported the progress of his Referendum Roadshow.

Gordian Mothersole the magazine’s general dogsbody helped out at the Independence Magazine’s National St Andrew’s dinner - he put pen to paper in issue 12 to tell readers  what happened on the night.

Andrew Collier interviewed Marco Biagi MSP and Paul Wheelhouse MSP in his mini bios page. 

Peter Mulheron, Carse of Gowrie Branch was interviewed in Around the Branches.

Gordon Casely’s article was Sanct Andro, Scotland’s National Patron Saint.

The Editor Issue 12: 

The SNP is by far the largest political party in this country. Our membership now tops 21,000 and continues to grow at a pace, thanks in part to our referendum recruiting sergeants Messrs Cameron, Clegg and Moore, and Independence Magazine is the Party’s own dedicated publication, reporting, informing and entertaining. We seek to promote the Independence message via our subscribers to their friends, families and work colleagues, so please pass us on. 

Last November seems so long ago now, but on the 25th of that month we hosted the second National St Andrews Dinner at Glasgow’s Thistle Hotel. The event was bigger; an increase of 100 guests, better, with brighter presentation and superb entertainers, and as friendly as you would expect thanks in no small part to the efforts of Radio Scotland’s Iain Anderson who hosted the evening. We’ve a pictorial record of the event within our pages and, suffice to say, I hope everyone who came along enjoyed themselves. We raised money for the cause, made new friends, attracted new sponsors and provided a first class evening out for our members and guests; a welcome break from the rigours of the on-going campaign for Independence.

Issue 12

Do you agree that Scotland should be an Independent country?

 

Thomas Walker and Gwen Marie Yorke.

Lorraine and Nicole Cameron with the First Minister.

Carol Puthucheary received her prize from Stewart Stevenson.

Marion and Iain Anderson.

National fundraiser Jim Henderson with his wife Catherine.

Managing director of event sponsors Community Windpower, Rod Wood, and project director Rob Fryer meet the First Minister.

Over 100 extra guests for the 2011 dinner.

National St Andrew’s Dinner 2011

Marion Anderson leans on a laughing editor for support.

Friday 25 November 2011 was the second Independence Magazine National St Andrews Dinner.


The First Minister Alex Salmond was the main speaker at the event in the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow.


Stewart Stevenson MSP was guest speaker, music was courtesy of opera singer Thomas Walker with Gwen Marie Yorke on Clarsach, and Nicole Cameron.


The dinner was even bigger than 2010 with an increase of over 100 guests.

Günther Dauwen, director of the European Free Alliance (EFA) with his view on the 2011 National Conference in Inverness.


Issue 11 also had articles from David, McEwan Hill,  Stephen McGee,  Dr Peter Lynch, Sarah Bromage and Rona Mackay.

Andrew Collier interviewed Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education.

Peter Murrell issue 11:


‘It’s starting. The campaign for the referendum on Scottish independence is under way — and it’s one the SNP has never been better placed to win.

It’ll be long, hard and challenging, but if each and every one of us makes the effort, then we CAN and WILL deliver a new and Independent Scotland.

The starting gun on the campaign was fired at the party’s annual conferencein Inverness by Campaign Manager Angus Robertson — the man whomasterminded our stunning victory in the May elections for the ScottishParliament.’

Gordian Mothersole met Barrie Dallas, ex-captain and current player of Kingussie Camanachd Club to talk about his passion for his sport and his country.

Rob Gibson MSP visited Novar Wind Farm, Evanton and Nigg on the Cromarty Firth.


Councillor Nan Wallace SNP group leader of South Ayrshire Council asked ‘Is this what voters want?’

Issue 11

Angus Robertson’s Campaign Launch.

Plaid Cymru featured in this issue – with articles from Elin Jones, Llue Williams and Dyfan Powell on the ongoing fight for freedom and independence for their country.

Writer and broadcaster Andrew Collier joined this issue as a regular columnist and asked – Independence... What do you Want?


Thanks to Anne Fernie of Edinburgh the first batch of Baby Bios started in this issue.


Alex McLeod gave us the latest news from the SNP’s youth wing, Young Scots for Independence and Rona Mackay had the Last Word.

Councillor Martyn Day of West Lothian Council was interviewed by the Editor for Around the Branches.

Rob Gibson MSP took time out from travelling around his Caithness, Sutherland and Ross constituency to share a song by Colin F Mackenzie ‘No Man’s Land - Welcome the Stranger’.


Lesley McDonald was activating the SNP councillors.


Gordon Casely’s article was on St Columba, Scotland’s first patron saint.

Issue 10

Elaine C Smith was interviewed by Rona Mackay

Councillor Paul Valentine of Angus Council was featured in Around the Branches.

Renfrewshire’s Councillor Lorraine Cameron gave readers an insight into the campaign for recognition of St Andrew’s Day as an official holiday.


Rob Gibson’s article was on the Year of Scotland’s Islands – www.robgibson.org


Ralph Roberts of McGill’s buses was interviewed on jobs and employment opportunities for local people.


Gordon Casely wove the tale behind the soon-to-be-discontinued union.

The Editor Jack Paterson travelled through to Edinburgh to interview Humza Yousaf in this issue.

Lesley McDonald secretary of the Association of Nationalist Councillors started her regular column in this issue.

Guest writer Real Radio’s Michelle Evans’ article was on the good and bad of Scottish football.

Peter Murrell was promoting the SNP Heritage Fund.

Issue 9

The unveiling of a specially commissioned bronze bust of the First Minister Alex Salmond was featured in this issue - the sculpture was funded by the SNP Heritage Fund and the superb sculpture was by Fife based David Annand (whose bronze bust of Winnie Ewing was unveiled by Sir Sean Connery and featured in issue 4 of the magazine).

In the early hours of May 6 2011, Gil Paterson MSP made history – he changed Red Clydeside to yellow on the political map – in issue 8 Gil told Independence Magazine about his long road to success.

Painting the map yellow


Rob Gibson contemplated the task ahead in issue 8, after he thumped the opposition with a 17.3 per cent swing from the Lib Dems to the SNP and took Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the 2011 election.


Patrice Forbes, Central Buchan Branch was interviewed in Around the Branches.


Rona Mackay interviewed Councillor Gail Ross on her stunning victory in the Wick by-election.


Alex MacLeod of the YSI  also wrote an article in this issue – for more information on the YSI visit www.snpyouth.org

Issue 8

First Minister Alex Salmond on the SNP’s landslide election win.

Kirk James Torrance new media strategist was lured all the way from downtown Los Angeles to work at SNP Headquarters. Kirk explained in issue 7 why new media can deliver a successful election campaign.

Adam Ingram MSP was interviewed for issue 7 when he was the Minister for Children and Early Years.

Iain Calderwood Thomson an ardent activist was interviewed in issue 7, Iain was part of the anti-nuclear campaign at Faslane, Dounreay and was the trustee of the Eilean Mor MacCormick Trust, the body tasked with the upkeep of the island gifted to the SNP in John McCormick’s estate.


David Linden’s article was on the 2011 YSI Annual National Conference.


Around the Branches featured Jean Urquhart of Wick Branch, Jean and her daughter run The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool www.theceilidhplace.com


The usual suspects appeared in this issue of the magazine.

Issue 7

Dougie MacLean talked to Rona Mackay about his wonderful song Caledonia, and his love of Scotland.

Issues 4, 5 and 6

In issue 6 Rona Mackay had a look at anti-SNP media coverage

The Scottish Political Archive was highlighted by Dr Peter Lynch and Sarah Bromage.


With articles from Andy Doig, George Anderson and Councillor Grant Thoms.


Chris McLean’s contribution to the magazine was an article on the success of Estonia as an independent country.

Issue 6

This was the first magazine of 2011. Peter Murrell, Chief Executive had some surprises in store for the unionists and First Minister Alex Salmond was asking the people of Scotland to make their choice in the coming Scottish General Election.


Jim Henderson was fundraising for the campaign ahead.

St Andrews Dinner top table line up – The Editor Jack Paterson, Chief Executive Peter Murrell, Deputy FM Nicola Sturgeon, our host Iain Anderson and his wife Marion, chatting to ex-Scotland manager Craig Brown.

Winnie Ewing at the Independence Magazine St Andrews Dinner.

Kenneth Gibson MSP, winner of our ‘Hats and Saltires’ ice-breaker game received his prize from Nicola Sturgeon.

Friday 26 November 2010 was the first Independence Magazine National St Andrews Dinner.
First Minister Alex Salmond could not attend the dinner due to adverse weather conditions - lots of snow in the North - Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was on hand to save the evening.


The 300 guests enjoyed entertainment from traditional band Cruachan and guest speaker Craig Brown and raised funds for the party.

Bill Campbell interviewed Shona Robison MSP for Dundee East and Minister for Public Health and Sport in Issue 5.

Issue 5

The November magazine was the last for 2010, new subscribers were still signing up which meant even more funds raised for the Party. 


Articles from Party member Robbie MacDonald from Manchester who looked at the life of Scottish Nationalist, Socialist and Red Clydesider John Maclean and Rona Mackay interviewed Andrew Collier who would go on to write in future issues of the magazine.

Issue 4


BBC Scotland broadcaster Iain Anderson was interviewed by the Editor, Iain hosts the National St Andrew’s Dinner.


Dr Bob Purdie former convener of the London branch of the SNP also contributed to this issue.

Issue 4


Thomas Walker SNP member of the Springburn Branch, was interviewed as part of our Around the Branches – Opera singer Thomas has performed all over Europe and was kind enough to sing at the Independence Magazine’s National St Andrew’s Dinner in 2011.


Articles from Alex Neil MSP, Alasdair Allan MSP and Events Officer at Headquarters Trudi Logan.

Issue 4

In issue 4 we were busy building our subscriber base. For every single new subscriber who joined it helped the magazine towards the target of becoming one of the biggest sources of funding for the Party.

Signing up friends or giving as a gift, the magazine will even make a great birthday present – join now, call Jim Henderson at Headquarters on 0131 525 8904.

Issues 1, 2 and 3 of the Independence Magazine