Today’s correspondents focus on the Titian display in Dundee, defence spending, and teaching of Gaelic in schools.
Titian has brought cultural buzz to Dundee Sir,-Having seen the Titian hung in Edinburgh in several positions at the National Galleries of Scotland, I have to say that I have never seen the painting as well-lit as it was on Friday afternoon in the McManus Galleries in Dundee (August 13).
Either your correspondent was unlucky or gallery staff had fixed the problem after reading that morning’s paper.
Suffice to say that the lighting in Dundee brings out a warmth of colour and a wealth of detail that I had previously not noticed.
And it was good to hear the great painting being discussed in the Spar in Menzieshill where customers were being encouraged to head into the centre of the city for this great treat.
Neil Robertson.4 Glamis Terrace,Dundee.
Abuse of city’s hospitality
Sir,-I can’t believe the comments made by John Davidson in his letter (August 13).
A resident of Angus, he has the temerity to come waltzing into Dundee and criticise the function of an art gallery that is funded by a council to which he pays absolutely nothing for the privilege of viewing what he describes as the ‘stunning painting’ that the council has secured the right to display on behalf of the taxpayers of Dundee.
I think Mr Davidson’s time would be better spent contacting his own councillors and asking if they have similar plans to display such classic art.
He can then advise them as to the correct method of hanging such valuable works.
Brian Lawrence.112 Balgowan Avenue,Dundee.
Cancel F-35 fighter contract
Sir,-Given the gravity of the cuts it now faces (August 13), it is astonishing that the MoD continues to avoid meaningful debate on the future of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft that it intends to operate from the two new aircraft carriers.
Persisting with these ‘gold-plated’ F-35 aircraft at a time of severe budget cuts not only jeopardises the future of the RAF’s current fast jet fleet (Tornado and Harrier) but also the future of one (or both) of the two new aircraft carriers from which F-35 is intended to operate.
The fact of the matter is that F-35 is an American-built aircraft, in which British industry’s role is relegated to one of bit-part manufacturer.
These ridiculously late and over-budget aircraft will do little for British jobs but will cost us upwards of £10 billion that is around three times the cost of the aircraft carriers themselves.
It seems bizarre that the MoD encourages daily debate on the future of the carriers (on which Scottish jobs heavily depend) but avoids any talk on the future of the F-35 programme itself.
The Tranche III Eurofighter aircraft are more than capable of being ‘navalised’ for operation from Britain’s new aircraft carriers, at much less cost and in much shorter timescales than the F-35 programme.
It would also give us a truly home-grown European carrier capability, independent of America. Good for Britain, good for Europe and good for Scottish technology and jobs.
Perhaps the MoD could even see fit to base the navalised Eurofighters north of the border at RAF Leuchars.
(Dr) Mark Campbell-Roddis.1 Pont CrescentDunblane.
Bring our army home
Sir,-Can anyone tell me why we should have our armed forces in Germany these days?
Perhaps the defence review could look at this.
John Dorward.89 Brechin Road,Arbroath.
Gaelic pupils perform better
Sir,-R. H. L. Mulheron (SNP trapped in tartan time warp, August 14), says the setting up of the quango of which I am cathraiche “beggars belief”.
Spending on Gaelic is nothing to do with any one political party and has very little to do with tartan.
The SNP Government is very supportive of Gaelic, as were the Tory and Labour Governments in Westminster over the past three decades and the previous administration in Holyrood.
The writer could ask why Scotland’s Gaelic-speaking population is less than 100,000 but I will not go into a history lesson here as to how, to Scotland’s shame, the Gaelic language was stamped out of people by the policies of successive governments down the decades.
The £5 million referred to, represents 0.016% of the Scottish Government’s budget.
Therefore, around one sixtieth of one percent is spent by Bord na Gaidhlig on Gaelic speakers, who constitute 1.2% of the Scottish population. This is neither disproportionate nor profligate.
I would disagree that young Scots would find having the ability to speak Gaelic on their CV of little benefit.
There are many job opportunities in Gaelic within the media, education, public services and the arts. There is much research suggesting that pupils in Gaelic medium education perform better than their monoglot English peers in primary, secondary and higher education.
There is no evidence to suggest that a Gaelic education has any detrimental effect whatsoever on their command of the English language.
Perhaps attainment in Scotland’s schools could be improved even more by ensuring that all those who want it receive a Gaelic medium education.
Interest is growing from the Borders to the Western Isles.
Arthur Cormack.Chair,Bord Na Gaidhlig,Stoneyfield Business Park,Inverness.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.