JK Rowling Gives £1m To Keep Scotland In UK

JK Rowling has given £1m to the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom.

The Harry Potter author, who lives in Edinburgh, revealed her views in a long blog post she said she had written after listening to months of arguments and counter-arguments.

The author wrote that she accepted she might not be Scottish enough to have a valid view in some extreme nationalists' eyes but insisted: "I've lived in Scotland for 21 years and plan to remain here for the rest of my life.

"By residence, marriage, and out of gratitude for what this country has given me, my allegiance is wholly to Scotland."

While she was "no fan of the current Westminster Government", she had concerns about the economic risks of independence, she explained, worrying that independence carried "serious risks".

She continued: "My hesitance at embracing independence has nothing to do with lack of belief in Scotland's remarkable people or its achievements.

"The simple truth is that Scotland is subject to the same 21st century pressures as the rest of the world.

"It must compete in the same global markets, defend itself from the same threats and navigate what still feels like a fragile economic recovery.

"The more I listen to the 'Yes' campaign, the more I worry about its minimisation and even denial of risks."

Ms Rowling explained why she wanted to write about her decision and her donation.

"I wanted to write this because I always prefer to explain in my own words why I am supporting a cause and it will be made public shortly that I've made a substantial donation to the Better Together campaign, which advocates keeping Scotland part of the United Kingdom," she said.

The author's donation to the 'No' campaign may be large, but it is less than the amount donated by lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir - who have reportedly contributed nearly 80% of the money that funds the 'Yes' campaign.

The couple, who won £161m in the EuroMillions lottery in 2011, have given £3.5m in total to the Yes Scotland campaign.