Town uncertain about the Biggar picture

"QUITE honestly, there are no major problems in Biggar, it's a small town with all the usual small town issues."

For the people of this sleepy South Lanarkshire town, this comment by newsagent Willie Steel echoes how they feel about their home patch.

But it is a different story when it comes to looking at the nation as a whole. The people of Biggar seem extremely protective of the tranquillity of their town, but fearful and distrusting of national government.

Builder Sandy Lawrie, 57, feels the nation has become populated with freeloaders: "I think Scotland is full of the biggest load of spongers and cheats. There are too many people getting a benefit of some sort."

Mr Lawrie believes the Scottish Parliament is not as effective as it could be at looking after the interests of Scotland: "Parliament is not doing enough for anyone. They are just doing it for themselves."

Linda McEwan, 60, who runs a Christmas shop on the High Street, also has a poor opinion of the way the country is run. "I think it is in a terrible state at the moment," she says. "The crime situation is bad and it really stresses you out. It is just tax after tax they are taking off you but not giving anything back."

She is also worried about he local area: "The supermarkets are killing the streets. Quite a lot of people do come to shop here to keep the shops going but I don't think it's enough."

Florists Bill and Johnetta Simpson love Biggar, but are less positive about Scotland. "It is definitely not the country it used to be. It's been going wrong for a long time and it's been particularly bad in the past decade," says Mr Simpson.

He also believes devolution has done nothing to help and thinks the general public are well aware of the country's decline but feel powerless to stop it: "Nobody in power listens to a word the people are saying now. I think Scotland should give independence a go. We've tried government from Westminster, we've done devolution. What are we scared of when it comes to independence? I'm willing to try anything; to go on with what we have now is not viable."

Mrs Simpson is sick of the level of political correctness in society which allowed what she felt were nonsensical decisions and rules to exist. "We get a lot of customers coming in who think the same about the way the country is going," she says. "We know of at least seven families getting ready to emigrate because they say the country is finished."

But while discontent with the Scottish Parliament may have pushed some to support independence, others believe the opposite. Andrew Ironside, 42, funeral director says: "The Scottish Parliament is and was the biggest con and one that we will be paying for until we are in our graves. It would not be the worst idea in the world to go back to rule from Westminster, because as far as I'm concerned MSPs in Holyrood are just filling their pockets."

But despite national disillusionment, there were many positive views about living in Biggar. Jennifer Frowd, 56, a hairdresser, says: "It's really nice in Biggar. It's nice countryside and everyone is very friendly. My only criticism is that there needs to be more done to attract the tourists who bring money to the town."

Her daughter, Mandy Blackman, has only been in Biggar two weeks having moved from the Canary Islands to be near her family.

"So far I have loved living here," she says. "There is a real feeling of community and the scenery is beautiful."

Joan Urquhart, 53, a pharmacy worker, feels the town is willing and able to accept Scotland's increasingly diverse population. "We are a very multi-cultural place, and everybody accepts each other," she insists. "In Biggar there is no racism. We are getting more Poles and Czechs and other people coming to work here. Everybody just gets on."

But there is still a sense that Biggar is a town wrestling with the need for change, while trying hold on to what makes it such an attractive place to live.

One shopkeeper says that an attempt to open a large supermarket there was defeated by local residents, while talk of building a further 500 houses in the town brought concerns about the impact it would have, particularly on parking in the high street.

But for Keith Watson, 53, an agent from Earlston in the Borders, transport links in the area are a major issue: "What I find really galling is the amount of speed cameras we have around here. These cameras are not in accident blackspots. They are there to collect revenue."

• MONDAY: The final stop - Peebles High Street, beside the Burgh Hall, or at Sainsburys entrance if weather bad. 11:30am-2:30pm.

'It's a mess but independence will not help'

"Biggar is very family and community orientated. I like the fact that everybody knows each other. We have become involved in fundraising for the Biggar ball and everyone just gets on together."

Mandy Blackman, salon worker, 37

"I don't think independence is a good idea. If we were to go on our own, I don't think Scotland would really thrive. It is a mess in this country just now but I don't think independence would change that."

Linda McEwan, shop owner, 60

"I have only recently come back from Australia and I think there is a lot we could learn from them and they could learn from us. There are good things and bad things about both countries. I hope to return to Australia but not for ever. I think I would always return to Scotland."

Ann Paterson, teacher, 40

"I am not very politically minded, but will vote in the Scottish elections. I have not decided who for. I always base it on a local candidate rather than a political party."

Joan Urquhart, pharmacy worker, 53

"The parking has been an issue since they developed the high street, but there are plans to extend it around the back, which should help."

Morag Byers, 36, shop worker

"Biggar is a lovely place to live. I think I'll stay here 'til I retire."

Margaret McConnell, shop worker, 50

"We want independence. We hate the English. I don't think there are many parts of Scotland that like the English."

Jim Thompson, student, 16

"Biggar is very affluent because of its proximity to Glasgow and Edinburgh. You just need to look at house prices here, they're booming. We don't have any real problems with crime."

Willie Steel, 36, newsagent

"I have lived in Scotland all my life. It gives me a living and has done for many years."

Keith Watson, agent, 53