Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Last week, nearly 200 years after being persecuted into extinction in the UK, white tailed sea eagles have been reintroduced to North Fife and can fly again freely over our shores.
This tremendous milestone has been achieved after years of effort by RSPB Scotland, with backing and support from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission Scotland and numerous volunteers, farmers, landowners, partners and members of the public.
To have these magnificent birds once more living and breeding near our coasts and lands will be a massive asset to our region and should be a matter of great pride for Fifers. More importantly, their presence will be a great gift to future generations.
What is incomprehensible is how their release squares with the drive to construct ever-growing numbers of giant, industrial wind turbines within their habitat range, both onshore and offshore.
There is no shortage of scientific evidence that wind turbines and predatory birds do not mix, sea eagles included (goldeneagle.ie/portal.php?z=105)
The carrion that forms part of their diet will, no doubt, be in plentiful supply courtesy of rotating turbine blades, but such tempting morsels will come at a horrific price to those that endeavour to prey upon them.
What a welcome Fife is giving to its newest residents!
Dr Valerie Smith.(biologist)Lochty.
Prof John Burnside.(poet and author)Arncroach.
An area of outstanding natural beauty
Sir, – It was encouraging news to read about the introduction of sea eagles boosting Fife’s wildlife tourism industry (Courier, August 24). I sincerely hope that the Fife Council planning committee will consider the acknowledged impact turbines have on birds, especially raptors (collision risk, habitat displacement etc).
In this economic climate every effort must be made to develop our tourist attractions whilst there is a national emphasis on ”staycation” holidays in the UK.
Driving from Kingsbarns beach last week having enjoyed a memorable day with visitors and even witnessing two pods of dolphins delighting us all, it was an incredulous thought that consideration was being given to the erection of industrial-sized turbines in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Lesley Haines.High Beley,St Andrews.
Remember the saying “Sticks and stones…”?
Sir, – This weekend we have seen another example of an arrest over comments posted on Twitter to a famous footballer. I really have to question if this is the most effective use of police resources.
In every circumstance ordinary people every day are subject to nasty comments but they don’t end up getting the police involved. It seems to be one rule for the famous and another for the rest of us.
What happened to the old saying ”Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me?”
Gordon Kennedy.117 Simpson Square,Perth.
Stick to looking after Dalgety Bay, Gordon
Sir, – Gordon Brown has emerged from his self-imposed purdah to attack the R&A for not following the example of the Augusta golf club which admitted Condoleezza Rice.
As a veteran R&A ”blazer” I have long been fascinated by the Afro-American political icon and there is no-one I would rather see in the Big Room than Ms Rice.
The fact is, however, that all progress in that direction ground to a halt as a consequence of the clumsy Equality Act introduced by Mr Brown’s brief but disastrous government.
In view of his shambolic legacy, I suggest the honourable member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath stick to saving Dalgety Bay from luminous watch dials.
Dr John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Church needs to accept this simple truth
Sir, – The ”gay marriage” and the ”right to die” debates dogging the whole Church will continue to do so until the Church accepts the simple fact that the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament, is people’s search for God who is Truth and not the truth in itself.
Until this critical and fundamental debate begins the positive influence of the Church on Scottish society will continue to wane.
Unless this debate begins now the Church will shut the door on God.
Grahame Lockhart.Myrtle Cottage,15 Scott Street,Brechin.
In excellent sea-going condition
Sir, – I fully support Mr Young’s letter about the Unicorn but must challenge him on his remark that the USS Constitution, at present in Boston Navy Yard, was never made ready for sea.
The Constitution (in excellent sea-going condition!) fought, took and burned HMS Java off Brazil in 1812.
Timothy Weakley.65A Magdalen Yard Road,Dundee.
We all need to keep a sense of proportion
Sir, – Many points have been made about publication of pictures of Prince Harry naked with others in a Los Angeles hotel suite.
They include invasion of privacy, the prince’s own judgment, the quality of his security, and freedom of the press. But, set in the context of history, does it really matter?
The truth is that if we want a hereditary monarchy we have to accept what we get. There is no point complaining about their private morality, their age, appearance, manners or health.
Over the years Princes Charles and Harry have been subject to much praise and criticism. But by the standards of some of their ancestors they are positively puritan.
The reputation of the monarchy suffers temporary blips. As we’ve seen this year, however, it seems to recover and renew its place in the affections of the people.
Of course the royals do have to take account of public opinion. That was shown dramatically in the days after Princess Diana’s death in 1997. They need to be aware that the public do not like to see taxpayers’ money wasted on frolics however harmless and juvenile.
The third in line to the throne will no doubt need to listen more closely to advice about his behaviour and who he associates with.
In the end, though, we all need to keep a sense of proportion about the importance of how he behaves and the way the press reports it.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
His bodyguards should have prevented this
Sir, – Oh dear, poor Harry. Given his status and his vulnerability to this sort of interference in his young life, couldn’t his bodyguard people ensure that guests hand in their mobile phones when in his presence?
Obviously his closest friends might be exempt but I do not believe it is in anybody’s interest to look at the lad’s bits just because he got a bit drunk at a party and behaved a little inappropriately.
Whose son or daughter hasn’t behaved in a manner likely to cause maximum embarrassment to parents and family if exposed to public view in this way?
Let’s widen that to a general ”who hasn’t behaved in a manner … etc etc?”
Rhoda Davidson.46 Tarvit Drive,Cupar.
Nothing new ““ it has all been done before
Sir – Reference the current comments about Prince Harry’s holiday activities, I can confirm that naked bathing involving the Army Air Corps’ elite eg the pilots and ladies of the local environment, has occurred before.
While serving with the Army Air Corps many decades ago, on an overseas assignment, such an event happened.
I was unable to take part, not being a pilot, and having had a presbyterian upbringing. I was also married, with some children. I experienced extreme pangs of envy.
These pilots deserved decent enjoyment. Some of the aircraft they flew could be fairly oily, squeaky and leaky.
Possibly because of this, at least one pilot I knew was killed in Northern Ireland on flying duty. Others, as I recall, were killed in a car bomb incident. Many flew where and when the RAF would not/could not.
Good on yer, Harry.
A T Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Says something about the society we live in
Sir, – Prince Harry is a young man in the prime of his life and is entitled to a private life like us all.
Pity the carpetbagger who took the picture. It is obvious nothing has been learned since the death of Princess Diana.
As for the tabloid newspaper that published the pictures and the people who buy that newspaper, well, that tells you something about the society we live in today.
Sad.
Ian Robertson.Station Road,Crook of Devon,Kinross.
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