Flag-burning at commemoration was a disgrace

Sir,—Each year, in November, a number of groups and individuals come together to commemorate the Battle of Sheriffmuir, fought between the Jacobite Army and Hanoverian Government forces on November 13, 1715.

They meet at the Sheriffmuir Inn and at dusk march the mile or so to the Clan MacRae Monument on the battlefield where a short service is held and wreaths are laid. The torchlight procession, the pipers and the wide assortment of traditional dress worn can make this an emotional and memorable occasion.

At the commemoration held on Saturday (November 15), a Union Flag was symbolically burnt. The Clan MacRae Society wishes to completely disassociate itself from this action.

Over the past two centuries, hundreds of thousands of Scottish soldiers have fought under the Union Flag and many have died for it. The symbolic burning of the flag was an insult to their memory

The Clan MacRae Society has no political allegiance and takes part in no political activities.

We take pride in our history and our traditions and, in previous years, the commemoration has allowed us the opportunity to pay our respects to the many men who gave their lives at Sheriffmuir. The moor is their burial ground and our monument is their memorial.

What happened there on Saturday was nothing short of a disgrace.

New technique used in rescue

Sir,—May I correct a detail in your report yesterday regarding the driver who was rescued from the River Earn on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters used a new rescue technique called a “tethered swim” to reach the trapped driver and assist him to the bank; at no point was he “hauled”.

One swimmer entered the water and rescued the driver. The dangers of fast-flowing water should not be underestimated and Tayside Fire and Rescue have two specialist teams to deal with this type of rescue. One is based at Perth and the other is at the Kingsway East Fire Station in Dundee.

The firefighters based at Crieff station did an excellent job in securing the vehicle and preparing the way for the water rescue team to use specialist techniques to rescue the driver.

Turbines will ruin landscape

Sir,—I refer to Cheryl Wood’s article in Saturday’s Courier reporting on comments of support for the Ceres wind farm received by Fife Council.

Any support for the proposed wind farm is support for the industrialisation of the countryside, the destruction of an important part of an area of great landscape value and has a substantial and detrimental impact on the residential amenity of a great number of people—and all for what?

Five turbines of varying height each with an installed capacity reduced from 1.3 Mw to 850Kw producing, according to EnergieKontor’s predictions, 27% of installed capacity. In other words, just over 1 Mw of unpredictable electricity.

When Fife Council rejected Lomond Homes’ application to turn the north of Ceres into a building site, the importance of the setting of Ceres was emphasised in the determination refusing permission.

What more detrimental effect could be imagined on the setting of the village of Ceres than the five huge wind turbines proposed by EnergieKontor with the probability of more to come?

As a villager living in clear view of the wind farm site, I know fully what effect this would have.

I find it most annoying that Mr Fowler from Dundee compares two turbines on the outskirts of a large industrial city to five turbines on a hillside in an area of great landscape value, directly overlooking a small historical village.

If the government were really serious about green energy, they would legislate for grant-funded solar panels to be used in the roofing of all new and existing residential properties in the UK, rather than subsidising foreign companies to disfigure our landscape for profit.

Contrary to all sound thinking

Sir,—After the corrupt Nigerian “deliverance” ministries, (which masquerade as Christian,) were exposed on television, Alistair McBay wasted no time in suggesting that all church ministries are exploitative.

Such a claim is contrary to all sound thinking.

Jesus warned his followers clearly, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them.” (Matthew 7 verses 15 & 16).

Sadly, there are church groups or individuals who claim to be Christian, but do not bring God’s love, truth or healing to those they minister to.

Some may even be extremely harmful, as those ministries from Nigeria demonstrate.

I have, however, visited many churches where people serve God with an honest heart.

They may not claim any great “deliverance” ministry, but they will happily pray for individuals to experience spiritual and emotional freedom.

Their “fruit” can be seen in lives which have been changed for good by the power and love of God.

If Mr McBay and the National Secular Society choose to reject all things spiritual, then they suppress the God-given spiritual hunger within each one of us.

They will also miss out on the promise of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10 verse 10).