Sir, – May I heartily congratulate your columnist Jenny Hjul on her excellent article in your issue of Wednesday August 31.
She most succinctly highlighted the weaknesses of SNP policies and aspirations.
Most rational people in Scotland are aghast at the present state of the Scottish economy.
With the GERS report revealing a deficit of £15 billion, Scotland is in a worse position in the European Union than, for instance Greece, Malta or Ireland.
It is sheer madness for the SNP to seek to exit the UK, after all, England and Wales are our biggest customers for goods and services.
As a retired person, I trust that in my lifetime we will see an end to the foolishness of the SNP cause.
I hold Scotland dearly, but despair at the extremism emanating from the separatists at Holyrood.
Let us return to the healthy sparring between Tories, Labour and Liberal Democrats.
Robert I G Scott.
Northfield,
Ceres.
Give shoppers free parking
Sir, – Perth needs shoppers, so why is it failing to highlight the one advantage that it can offer visitors?
Why is the council not running an advert on the front page of The Courier every Saturday simply stating: “Come shop in Perth – free parking all day Sunday.”
If it works and brings in new shoppers from Perth, Fife and Angus, the council can extend the free parking to operate from 1pm on Saturdays.
Robin Valentine.
3 Burnbank.
Bridge of Earn.
Fife road does have an owner
Sir, – I am a native of Pittenweem and have lived at 25 Marygate for the last 30 years.
My house is diagonally opposite the fish shed featured in your article which is the subject of complaints about odours.
I can see both doors from my living room window and, throughout my time here, I have never suffered from undue noise disturbance or smell from that fish shed.
In fact, I watch them scrupulously clean both the shed and the vehicles on an almost-daily basis, at the same time, commenting to my wife about the long working hours of the men.
The front of my property is probably closer to the doors than the rear of the complainants’ property.
I do not wish to be grouped as a “resident” or “local” who has complained because my views were not sought.
I cannot comment on the parking problem as that is outwith my knowledge.
I am also surprised that Fife Council claims this area is a no-man’s land.
This was part of the old Waggon Road which was in use in living memory.
It went from the East Shore to James Street and belonged to Pittenweem Town Council.
After its closure, the bottom part was incorporated/annexed into private ownership.
In the late 1960s, Pittenweem Town Council built the Waggon Road/Priory Court housing scheme on part of it. This left the part from Marygate to James Street part undeveloped.
Thus, it either belongs to Fife Council or is a Pittenweem Common Good asset. I walk this on a regular basis.
David T. Birrell.
25 Marygate,
Pittenweem.
An example of intolerance
Sir, – Hardly a week goes by without a letter appearing on your pages from secular campaigner Alistair McBay.
In his latest, he talks about bigotry, intolerance and indoctrination.
Given his clear disdain and open hostility towards anyone daring to have faith in God, a choice and freedom Mr McBay clearly wishes we did not enjoy, I’d suggest it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Iain Cathro.
31 Ferndale Drive,
Dundee.
Grouse moor priorities wrong
Sir, – How nice to see a driven grouse shooting estate engaging with some youngsters to enlighten them as to how a grouse moor is run.
I was relieved to see that they did not enlighten them to the dark side of how some driven grouse moors are run.
We know that on some moors, stoats, weasels and foxes are killed.
Then there is the culling of Scottish mountain hares and occasional culling of red deer, both of which carry ticks that can affect the wellbeing of the precious grouse.
Add to the mix the suspicious lack of raptors on some estates and the unnecessary burning of large swathes of heather and you are left with an artificial environment devoid of the rich biodiversity that should be there.
And all this so that a few well-heeled tweeds can have their bloodlust for a few weeks.
I would like to tramp over our bonnie glens and see our natural heritage but sadly much of our uplands are run with grouse management as the priority and sadly at the expense of everything else.
David Mitchell.
6 Henry Street,
Kirriemuir.
No threat to EU migrants
Sir, – Your correspondent Alan Thomson from Kinross wonders how First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is getting along with the Syrian refugees she agreed to take in a year ago.
I too am concerned since presumably Ms Sturgeon is now also concealing numerous EU immigrants from wicked and dastardly Westminster.
The nationalist leader frequently stokes up fears EU immigrants must leave Scotland.
That’s despite no one suggesting they should and Theresa May expressing her determination they should stay.
Martin Redfern.
4 Royal Circus,
Edinburgh.
We must focus on governing
Sir, – For 60 years I have worked for and longed for an independent Scotland.
My desire was to help create a just country where the weak are cared for and the strong are encouraged. This is still my desire but I am worried.
In the independence referendum, in rough figures, 1.8 million voted Yes and in the European referendum, 1.8 million voted Remain. I don’t detect any substantial movement in support of independence.
Yet the unionists are begging the Scottish Government to declare against holding a second independence referendum. Does the lady protest too much?
They see the gap and are using their pretend fear to provoke independence supporters to demand a second referendum.
At least 200,000 voters are required to be persuaded that independence is the better option if independence is to be achieved.
So energies must be redirected from referendum fever into serious contemplation of the issues which will win that independence vote.
We need to work on currency, pensions, benefits, economy and trade, policies which are viable and give the lie to the idea that we are better off in the union.
Brian Rattray.
124/2 Gylemuir Road,
Corstorphine,
Edinburgh.
Why not look closer to home?
Sir, – St Andrews Presbytery has been sent the summary of a seminar held between NHS Fife and representatives of faith groups in Fife to discuss end-of-life patient care.
When I read that it had “benefitted” from the experiences of the health service in New Zealand” I knew what the aims of this exercise would be.
The New Zealand government is virulently against any form of physician-assisted death and routinely jails desperate relatives who have aided a loved one dying in extremis.
Had there been any intention of producing a balanced report, NHS Fife would have contacted other nations including those which offer merciful release.
Rather than going half-way round the globe, this could have included Switzerland, Germany, Finland and the Benelux nations.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.