An interesting day with the draft independence referendum proposals being put before the Scottish parliament. Being Burn’s Night is perhaps appropriate to include something. This is from his “Tree of Liberty”. Just for good measure I’ve also included my latest watercolour – a beech tree to the north of our house

“Wi’ plenty o’ sic trees, I trow,
The warld would live in peace, man;
The sword would help to mak a plough,
The din o’ war wad cease man.
Like brethren wi’ a common cause,
We’d on each other smile, man;
And equal rights and equal laws
Wad gladden every isle, man.
“Wae worth the loon wha wadna eat
Sic halesome dainty cheer, man;
I’d gie my shoon frae aff my feet,
To taste sic fruit, I swear, man.
Syne let us pray, auld England may
Sure plant this far-famed tree, man;
And blythe we’ll sing, and hail the day
That gave us liberty, man.”