Sir, I am still reeling with incredulous wonderment at the utter gall, not to say impertinent insolence, of Donald Trump’s piece of vanity displayed in his full page advertisement in the Courier, under the heading “Is this the future for Scotland?”
No, Mr Trump, it is the present in your country, which you appear to care little about as long as you are making money however and wherever you please.
You may have been able to see off the local government in Aberdeen to enable you to ride roughshod through a world-renowned site of special scientific interest, but hopefully, even you won’t have the means to get round the government of Scotland so easily.
I, too, do not like the effect on our beautiful country of marching armies of wind turbines, but I am aware of the world’s urgent need for incrementing sources of renewable energy and wish that a great deal more expense and effort would be put into developing tidal energy.
But carbon emissions would be helped a little if your home country wasn’t oblivious to their per capita creation of CO2 emissions, as evidenced by your extreme example of wandering around your empire in a jet all to yourself.
The only gratifying point about this ludicrous advertisement is that one mega vanity of little real use to the real world is ranting and raving like a spoilt child about another mega vanity who is equally well versed in weaving and dealing and is a master of obscuration.
Dr Stephen Woodward. 5 Ballumbie View, Dundee.
Great boost toenergy supplies
Sir, Energy Secretary Ed Davey has given the green light for drilling for shale gas, which the Government hopes will revolutionise Britain’s energy supply.
Shale gas has revolutionised the American economy and electricity prices have been halved leading to economic revival. Prices there are now a quarter of those paid in Europe. It has also lowered America’s emissions.
Fracking will end our dependence on volatile nations and expensive imports thus protecting UK consumers and industry from rising prices.
The UK could be sitting on estimated gas reserves of up to 300 trillion cubic feet enough to supply Britain for 120 years. China has reserves of 886 trillion, enough for two hundred years.
Critics’ claims that the visual aspect of gas-rigs will be worse than wind turbines are wrong. Drilling and fracking rigs would be on site for only a few months.
Once a well is completed the structures are dismantled and all that is left is the well head which could be fitted into a large garden shed.
Shale gas could become the greatest contribution to Britain’s energy supplies since the North Sea boom of the 1970s.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
A sound planis needed
Sir, Scotland is a relatively cold country subject to occasional winds and as such the need for affordable energy is essential. I am surprised therefore to hear no proposals for the future of clean nuclear energy production, nor the future for hydro power and not even any reference to cheaper shale oil drilling.
All I see is the cost of subsidising windmills, which on the scale required, are an environmental disaster, a blight on the landscape and inefficient, not to mention the cost of future maintenance.
Might I suggest we subsidise the installation of four solar panels in every pensioner’s house thereby creating employment while reducing energy costs and that those with some common sense plan for the future.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Fuel cost eye-opener
Sir, We have all had a groan about the cost of petrol and diesel, especially over the last two years and many, like me, have wondered what it costs to put fuel in a car in some remote location like Stornoway for instance.
Well, despite the remoteness of the Western Isles, theirs is not the most expensive unleaded in Scotland. A quick telephone survey of half a dozen outlets in various parts of the Western Isles, came up with an average price of 135.9 per litre. Not too bad.
But coming home from work in Aberdeen on Monday, I underestimated being able to get to Forfar in order to fill up and at the risk of running out on the A90 had to go into a truck stop next to a hospital between Laurencekirk and Brechin.
Yes, I think I have found the most expensive unleaded in Scotland, at 146.9 per litre, unless, of course, someone knows any different, that is.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham.
Special date
Sir, I enjoyed reading about the couples, who married on 12.12.12, providing them with a memorable anniversary date. My date of birth, 1.2.34, always draws a few comments. I suppose I could say that’s my “day you can’t forget”.
Ian Thomson, Moor Road, Ceres.