SOME short-term pain for some long-term gain.

That was the message this week from businesswoman Morag Milligan as she nailed her colours firmly to the YES camp in the raging referendum debate.

The co-owner of coach operators Milligan’s Coach Hire - which has 17 vehicles at their Mauchline depot - was one of 200 business people involved in an open-letter backing independence.

And after the letter was publicised in various media outlets, the busy mum, who helps run the family business with husband Billy, took time to give her reasons why.

Speaking to the Chronicle this week, she said: “It may be that independence causes some issues at the start but overall I think it will benefit Scotland in the longer term.

“Our own business has done well even during the recession but I feel now is the time for change. In terms of our business, we might have to spend a bit of money on international licenses as we’d be crossing a border but I’d be happy to do that.

“The big currency issues won’t really affect us, certainly not to the same degree as the large freight companies and massive operators.

“Overall, to me, it just makes sense for the country. But I won’t be pushing my views on my employees. They can vote and speak for themselves.” The family-run business, which provides transport for school kids, tourist and private hire, has been operating out of Mauchline for 66 years and, despite the emergence of bigger operators, has consistently thrived in the competitive market, It would be easy for Morag to accept her lot. She has a happy family and thriving business but she wants more, she says. Not for herself but for the whole country.

She added: “I look at what Better Together are saying and can’t agree that we would struggle as an independent country. From what I can see the system is broken just now.

“We don’t have a say in our own affairs. We don’t vote Tory yet they govern us. We managed to get devolution and you’ve seen from that we’ve been able to safeguard the NHS to an extent. That doesn’t seem to be the case down south where the Tories are giving big contracts to their friends.

“I really just think it’s time the people in Scotland have a say and have a voice in their future.

“Everyone talks about oil being the be-all and end-all but that’s just part of what Scotland has to offer. There is so much more.

“And I feel we would thrive going it alone.” Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter and Clyde Blowers boss Jim McColl are among signatories who say independence is in Scotland’s economic interest.

It followed a similar letter from 130 pro-UK business leaders said the case for independence had not been made.

The pro-independence letter has been published in The Herald newspaper.

Other signatories include Ralph Topping, retired chief executive of William Hill, Professor Nathu Puri, founder of Purico, former Scottish Enterprise chairman Sir Donald Mackay and former RBS chairman Sir George Mathewson.

The letter - which was backed by SNP leader Alex Salmond - stated: “An independent Scotland will recognise entrepreneurs small and large as the real wealth and job creators of the nation’s economic future.

“It will encourage a culture in which innovation, endeavour and enterprise are nurtured. It will place power in the hands of Scotland’s people to channel the huge resources of our country in the interests of those who live and work here.”