Sir, – What an encouraging sign of spring to see your photograph captioned “bluebells” on May 13.
But I am sure you will be flooded with readers commenting that the flower hyacinthoides non-scripta, the deep purply-blue flower which carpets ancient woodlands, is only called a bluebell in England.
In Scotland it is called the wild hyacinth, although the Spanish bluebell, hyacinthoides hispanica which has a bigger, coarser flower with little scent, is sadly hybridising and out-competing our native plants.
The Scottish bluebell, campanula rotundifolia, is a much softer blue and flowers in late summer on grassy meadows.
It is known as the harebell in England.
Readers may remember Scottish Bluebell matches which correctly featured the Scottish bluebell on the packet.
Names are an important feature in defining our culture.
In the maritime world there is a similar confusion between ships and boats.
Generally, a ship is big and a boat is small.
The rule of thumb is that a ship is big enough to carry a boat which is the reason submarines, no matter how large, are always boats.
Dundee’s preserved frigate HMS Unicorn is, therefore, most certainly a ship not a boat.
Roderick Stewart. Dronley House, Dronley.
Raptors killing our wildlife
Sir, – Journalist and former television presenter Robin Page went on record last week with a bravely honest assessment of the damage that killer birds are doing to our wildlife across the United Kingdom.
Both Dr David Bellamy and Mr Page wereostracised by the BBC for telling the truth about predators.
Television programmes such asCountryfile and Springwatch give a romantic but inaccurate accountof Britain’s predatorsand their role indestroying our wonderful heritage.
If Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB were to release somesea eagles and pinemartens into our cities’ lovely parks, then utter carnage would ensue with the deaths ofeverything from much-loved chihuahua pets to Canada geese.
Here on the nature reserve of Loch Leven we have an appallingsituation where a colony of more than 2000black-backed gulls are located.
They are protected by the taxpayer-funded SNH and the RSPB.
These organisations admit that up to 95% of all tufted ducklings are predated by the big gulls but conclude that : “Their predations is not the cause of breeding duck reductions at Loch Leven.”
How stupid is that statement?
What chance do our ducklings, wader chicks and other wildlife have with these organisations in charge?
Michael C Smith. Threapmuir Farm. Cleish, Kinross.
Powerful grip on information
Sir, – Your editorial of May 14 commented on “the lengthy battle for the right to see Prince Charles’ correspondence with various ministers”, and how important it is that the public have “the right to know who is seeking to influence government and if there are motives for so doing”.
It further states that “the checks and balances put in place through the Freedom of Information Act have been an essential tool in holding power to account”.
What your editorial did not mention was that the government have announced that they are taking steps to close the loophole in the Act which allowed these letters to be published, so that any such future correspondence by the heir will be kept secret.
Clearly the Freedom of Information Act is a good thing only until it comes into conflict with those holding the power.
Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.
Prince was right to quiz Blair
Sir, – Was Prince Charles correct to question Tony Blair about the need for increased resources for the military (May 14)?
At least his position reflected a concern of the time. If troops are sent into battle, they need the right equipment.
He did not try to blur the issue.
Some politicians said they opposed the war in Iraq but supported the troops.
But what did that actually mean? The answer is that it was the worst form of political expediency.
No one doubted the sincerity of those opposed to the war. No one doubted the sincerity of those who called for troops to be withdrawn.
Surely, however, if you support the troops you support them in trying to achieve the objective that has been set for them.
In times of conflict it is unwise to try to face both ways.
Those who tried to do so were trying to win the votes of those opposed to the war and the friends and families of those involved in the conflict.
Prince Charles didn’t suggest that the war was wrong. He just took up a perfectly fair point.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Discrimination against obese
Sir, – I am extremely frustrated by the overcharging by manufacturers for clothes for obese people.
This week I went on the internet to buy a jacket and a 40-inch chest size was £25. But, as have a 50-inch chest, I was charged £40.
That is 60% extra in price for 25% extra in size.
Manufacturers may try to justify this by saying that more material is needed for obese people but they don’t have 25% longer arms as they are not 25% taller.
With 64% of adults in the UK being classed as obese, is it not time for manufacturers to realise that their customers are not super skinny and stop discriminating against us?
Life for people who are overweight is tough enough without making them pay through the nose to look nice.
It is an overweight person’s right to eat what they want and wear what they want without being penalised.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Scotland’s dole queue stretches
Sir, – Figures for the three months January to March 2015 show unemployment in Scotland has risen by 19000 to 168,000.
Across the UK, the numbers have fallen by 35,000.
The UK unemployment figure is now 5.6% whereas Scotland’s stands at 6%.
There will now be numerous letters to the press blaming those nasty people in Westminster for this instead of Holyrood.
Still glad you voted SNP?
Dan Arnott. 1 St Brycedale Court, Kirkcaldy.