Ewing is thorn in Swinney side ... but he's still a Nat

WHILE we do not agree with Fergus Ewing's stance on Scottish independence, there is still much to be admired about this veteran SNP politician.

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He has never wavered from his principles and he has been a staunch defender of both the Highlands and the rural Scottish way of life for many years.

Almost alone among the party's MSP group, he has clearly perceived the mistakes and madness in many policies pursued by the Nats over the past decade.