Sir, We wish to extend our gratitude to the five councillors who voted against the proposed road at Perth Crematorium.
It is reassuring to know that they have hearts and consciences and have had the decency to listen to the pleas of the people whose loved ones’ ashes are scattered within the grounds of Perth Crematorium.
They have taken on board the views of people in their ward, and, ultimately, the people who made them councillors in the first place.
To the others, what can we say that has not already been said or printed?
Shame on the lot of you and fingers crossed that not one of you is back in power after the next local election.
We find it hard to understand the comments made about how this road will make a difference to the future of Perth.
Apart from one Perth councillor, the others who voted to approve the road were from outwith the city of Perth.
No doubt these will be the same councillors in favour of knocking down Perth City Hall, even though it is not in their wards.
We can only hope that there is still time to have this decision reversed and that it is not too late for Perth folk to form some sort of action plan.
We need more community councils and residents associations to do as much as they possibly can.
Mr Alex Cook from Luncarty Community Council is doing a fantastic job with his tenants and residents association and we are doing everything we can to help him but we need more people to get involved.
It is more important than ever that those opposed to the road make their opinions heard.
It is time for a public inquiry into this shambles and time we got rid of this embarrassing council.
Remember, it was six SNP and two Conservative councillors who gave the road the green light.
Also bear in mind it is an SNP council running Perth and Kinross.
Tulloch Tenants and Residents Association. Primrose Crescent, Perth.
Grammatical explanation
Sir, Further to the letters of March 30 and 31, there are two Gaelic medium education schemes in Perth and Kinross.
I have the honour to represent one of the wards, Perth City North, where children can attend Gaelic nursery and primary education at Goodlyburn Primary School.
The sign outside the school, Bun-Sgoil Goodlyburn, is a helpful hint that Gaelic is taught there.
I have no idea why Mr Barnett would want anyone to travel to Banff and Buchan to ask how Perth is spelt in Gaelic.
It would, however, be a waste of time as both spellings are correct. Grammar can be challenging to some people, for example, an apple, a pear, one calf, two calves. Every language has what outsiders regard as pitfalls in the spelling of different words and phrases.
To be exact, Perth/Peairt is the nominative case. Peairt goes into the genitive case after the noun city/cathair which causes it to lenite (add an ‘h’). It goes into the genitive case because it is the city of Perth. The ‘of’ causes the genitive case Pheairt.
And technically the name of the city hasn’t been translated into Gaelic it is simply the Gaelic for Perth. The name Peairt existed prior to the English word Perth. Like many old cities, Perth has been known by other names such as St Johnstoun.
Elspeth Maclachlan. 122 Dunsinane Drive, Letham, Perth.
There is no right to abortion
Sir, A quote in your article (March 30) on the pro-abortion demonstration at Dundee University suggests that women in the UK have a right to abortion. That is wrong. Abortion in the UK is illegal unless it fulfils the criteria set out by the Abortion Act.
That said, the law is routinely flouted, for example, when doctors pre-sign abortion referral forms so that procedures haven’t been signed by two doctors.
Moreover, around 98% of abortions are carried out under ground C of the Abortion Act: continuation of the pregnancy would cause more risk to the mental health of the mother than the abortion would.
Health authorities have commissioned research that shows that there is no more risk to the mental health of a mother from continuing with a pregnancy than there is from having an abortion.
Many go into midwifery, nursing and obstetrics because they want to care for pregnant women and their babies. It certainly is not clear that a so-called right to abortion should override a right to conscientious objection for pro-life medical professionals. I hope the medical students who heard the talk from the pro-life obstetrician at Dundee University were encouraged in their vocations.
Clare McGraw. 12a Castle Terrace, Broughty Ferry.
End football TV blackout
Sir, Am I the only one who feels aggrieved at the lack of terrestrial television coverage of Scotland’s Euro qualifiers?
During the referendum, the No campaign was quick to tell us how much fairer it is to be part of the UK. Yet here we are with only England getting their games televised live, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have to rely on satellite companies giving only a select few games any coverage.
Robert Donald. Number Two Cottage, Denhead Farm, Ceres