Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, I was most heartened to see the positive coverage given to the National Trust for Scotland (September 26) and to experience the warm weather and warm welcome we received in Dundee during our annual general meeting last weekend.
I thought I should take this opportunity to thank the people of Dundee and our supporters across Angus for their continued support and generosity.
I should also remind your readers that the Hill of Tarvit mansion house near Cupar is open to visitors until October 31, although the garden and grounds are open all year round, as is the adjacent and unique Kingarrock hickory golf course.
Indeed, last Saturday, the property was the venue for a highly successful concert given by artistes from Scottish Opera and organised by the East Fife and Fife Members’ Centres and the Friends of Scottish Opera.
We look forward to more opportunities to ensure this wonderful property receives due recognition as the great asset to our heritage that it is.
Kate Mavor.Chief executive,National Trust for Scotland.
Planning for when squirrels reside
Sir, I would like to correct your story (Squirrel fails to prevent development, September 22) that a single red squirrel would halt a housing development near St Andrews.
That would clearly be ridiculous.
Red squirrels are just one of a number of legally protected species which may be living on the site.
The developer will need to do a survey to establish what species are present and in what numbers. The council can then decide whether the full planning application can be approved and with what conditions.
A licence from us may be required if damage or disturbance could be caused to any of these species by the development. This is standard practice for a development of this kind.
We will be happy to provide further advice to the developer and Fife Council about what is required.
Iain Rennick.Area manager,Scottish Natural Heritage,Cupar.
Experience left a sour taste
Sir, On September 8 my car was parked in a free car park in Carnoustie when it was given a ticket with a £60 fine for not displaying a current road fund licence (tax disc).
The previous disc expired on August 31. I had applied for a new disc by telephone to the DVLA on the same day (the 8th).
When I explained the position to the police, I was told that, even though I had paid for a new disc, if I used the vehicle I would still be liable to a further £60 fine or fines until a valid tax disc was displayed.
Even if an application for a new disc is late, no advantage can be gained as it is backdated to the day after the previous disc expired.
Although I fully admit that I was wrong by forgetting to renew immediately, a £60 fine is ridiculous for such a small transgression. A warning would have been sufficient.
My attitude to the police for their intractability has totally changed. I will never again help them in any way.
Ken Patterson.Broughty Ferry.
Scots’ option is to leave
Sir, According to the Labour leader Ed Miliband, the political and economic system has failed.
He is perfectly correct. It was the Labour government in which Mr Miliband served that brought the UK economy to its knees, and it is the current coalition government that is prescribing the medicine that will ultimately kill the patient.
Even though Ed Miliband failed to bring forward any ideas on how to change the current system, we in Scotland have another option we can leave the failed UK political and economic system.
Malcolm McCandless.40 Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.
Nursing not really a profession
Sir, The first thing I learnt in The Black Watch, whatever the colonel thought, was that the regiment was really run by the regimental sergeant major.
When my three medical brothers took up their first appointments in the 1960s, the same held true in our hospitals. No one was in any doubt that matron ruled the roost.
After years of book learning, laboratory work and mooching about behind consultants, they finally learned to be doctors and were knocked into shape by formidable ward sisters.
Nursing standards deteriorated the moment it was alleged to be a profession with degree-only entry because nursing is not, never has been, and never will be a profession.
Dr John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Sauce for the goose…
Sir, I am delighted by your newspaper’s conversion to ”independence”.
I note that such Labour luminaries as Jenny Marra, Jim McGovern and Laurie Bidwell are also against ”shotgun mergers” and are also vehemently pro-independence. They believe that such mergers are bad news for the smaller partner and will result in a loss of influence and identity.
I look forward to that being translated into ”Yes” votes in the independence referendum.
Calum Stewart.185 Clepington Road,Dundee.
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.