Sir, – The article in The Courier (“War of words breaks out over rail link, January 11”) covered the harsh verbal exchanges between SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth and Fife Council co-leader David Ross.
Ms Gilruth claimed Mr Ross had failed to argue the case for rail services in the Levenmouth area as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, claims Mr Ross angrily denied, accusing Ms Gilruth of undermining the cross-party approach to the rail campaign.
As a Levenmouth resident, I would criticise both of them.
Ms Gilruth’s party is in government at Edinburgh and shares power in Fife, so they have the direct capacity to make positive decisions to return railway services to Leven.
It is not clear why singling out the co-leader of Fife Council is that relevant to the situation.
However, I agree that Levenmouth has been disgracefully marginalized in the Edinburgh City Region Deal, while the capital greatly benefits.
It is clear that much more pressure and accountability is needed from council leaders and also those in the Scottish Government.
After the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, agreed to commit Transport Scotland to a major GRIP4 feasibility study into the reopening of the Levenmouth rail link, perhaps the focus of all political representatives should be ensuring officials at both Transport Scotland and Fife Council actually do their work properly instead of delaying, obstructing and diverting.
The continued isolation of Levenmouth from the national transport system is becoming a national embarrassment.
Stuart Mcintosh, Kirkland Drive, Methil.
Bank betrays Barra people
Sir, – Just when I thought the Royal Bank of Scotland couldn’t get any lower in the estimation of the Scottish public, I have been proved wrong; the sole bank on the small island of Barra is to be closed!
The profit-grasping executives of a bank which unfortunately carries the word “Scotland” in its title, have obviously neither shame nor scruples regarding the financial well-being of a thousand or so inhabitants on this small island.
Their nearest banking service, they’ve been told, is now almost 25 miles away by sea at Lochboisdale on South Uist.
After almost a century of working in financial partnership with the local population, the bank now appears to feel no responsibility whatsoever towards the thousand or so inhabitants of that small island.
Yes, they’ve been left with an ATM machine (for the time being) so let’s hope it has the capacity to accept both cheques and cash, but have you ever tried to discuss a financial mishap with one?
And, yes, there is internet banking, but with an ageing population on the island who find modern technology difficult to master, at least half the islanders are now totally without any form of personalised banking service.
Enough is enough! I’d like to think that little Barra will turn into “the Lion who roars” – and that, just for once, Nicola Sturgeon might be listening.
Archibald A. Lawrie, 5 Church Wynd, Kingskettle.
#MeToo is like McCarthyism
Sir, – Anti-communist hysteria in 1950s America allowed Senator Joe McCarthy to accuse leading figures of treason without any regard for the legal process.
His inquisition was more damaging to US democracy than a few communists ever could have been, and the #MeToo movement is an equally unpleasant, self-righteous cult.
I was pleased to see Le Monde publish an open letter from the actress Catherine Deneuve and other distinguished French women criticising this detestable form of feminism for hating men and sexuality, and being fronted by a Luvvie clique who appeared at the Golden Globes in black outfits like Hitler Mädchen.
As in Britain’s Great Celebrity Witchhunt – now imploding under the weight of its own absurdity – well-known men in public life have been destroyed merely by being accused of historic sex crimes by a motley crew of “victims” – some in it for the money while others are little more than publicity-seeking fantasists.
Rev Dr John Cameron, 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Government pension outrage
Sir, – The Government is getting away with larceny on a grand scale regarding people’s pensions.
At this rate they’ll have us working until we’re 90 to avoid paying us what we’re legally entitled to.
This country already pays the lowest old age pension in Europe, yet are still trying to find ways of not having to pay it at all.
Eric Travers.
38 Gellatly Road,
Dunfermline,
Not suitable for a Post Office
Sir, – Post Office has now begun a six week consultation on their proposal to move to PriceKracker at 7 Perth Street, Blairgowrie.
The consultation ends February 23 and responses can be made on the Post Office website.
I urge all interested parties to consider this option.
With all the will in the world, these proposed new premises cannot work as a Post Office.
I visited the shop to remind myself of its size and layout, and was surprised to find it even smaller than I remembered.
They promise the same range of services will continue, but that will not be practical, or even possible.
As so often occurs in reality, what is promised and what is delivered will differ greatly.
I estimate there is space for one window, and perhaps a security window – not enough to cope with the number of people who need the services.
There is inadequate on-street parking, and what there is will heavily impact on the nearby residents.
Those unable to walk will be unable to use Post Office services. Those who need aid to walk will struggle. It requires more than a ramp – I don’t believe the door or interior are large enough.
If this proposal is rejected, the current branch will remain open for a further six months and a more suitable location will be sought.
Let’s see if something more suitable can be found before accepting this proposal and those who use the service should make use of the consultation process so we can have a suitable Post Office in the future.
Tim Clarke, 12 Bank Street, Blairgowrie.
Not hostile, but limits to Gaelic
Sir, – I refer to the letter from Mr Lindsay accusing me of being hostile to Gaelic (Letters, January 15) which is most certainly not the case.
I am all for Gaelic Choirs and teaching Gaelic to those who wish to learn its poetic and gentle sounds.
What I am against is spending public money on road signs, railway station signs and, heaven forbid, on police cars in areas of Caledonia where Gaelic has probably never been spoken – or if it was, it would have been hundreds of years ago.
The Gaelic culture will not die as long as we can hear traditional singers like Julie Fowlis, Karen Matheson, Donnie Munro and Kathleen MacInnes to name but a few.
I have listened to them and many more with much enjoyment over the years, just as I have to many forms of British (and Irish) traditional folk music.
It’s a sad reflection on society today that people are so quick to take offence when none is intended.
It happens too often because folk do not fully read, or listen to what is being said.
I thought I had made my views clear when I referred to my sadness at the demise of Gaelic at the end of my letter of January 11.
Road signs and the like will not revive or perpetuate an ancient and noble language of the Western Isles and the Highlands.
John D. Ridley, Spoutwells Drive, Scone.
