In this morning’s bumper mailbag, our readers discuss the Battle of Nechtansmere, the threat to salmon stocks, saving RAF Leuchars, the dangers of speeding, Labour’s economic record, the proposed Forth replacement crossing and the environmental impact of turbines.
Angus battle’s pivotal role in Scottish history Sir, I was surprised to read your report that Historic Scotland has not included the Battle of Nechtansmere in the proposed catalogue of battlefields important for Scotland.
This may be because Scotland as we know it did not exist in AD 685.
However, until this battle Ecgfrith, king of Northumbria, whose lands stretched as far as the Forth, had carried all before him in his campaign against the Picts.
If the Northumbrians had won they would probably have gone on to conquer the Northern Picts and, as a result, after the unification of England, most of what is now Scotland would have been part of England.
The Scots were in a relatively small enclave in Argyll and the Britons of Strathclyde reached from Dumbarton to Carlisle.
It was quite likely that the much stronger Northumbrian kingdom, or the unified England would have conquered them too.
The victory of the Picts under King Brude and the rout of the Angles and death of King Ecgfrith were important for the future of Scotland, probably as important as the Battle of Bannockburn.
Gordon Stuart.Colliston Castle,by Arbroath.
Salmon under threat
Sir, Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham has pledged tough action on wildlife crime, its causes and effects. This pledge should be supported if genuine.
The west of Scotland has all but lost the salmon and trout from its hundreds of rivers and lochs.
Famous west coast fisheries used to support local ghillies and many more jobs in catering but not these days.
Poorly regulated salmon farms are producing toxic waste, disease, mass escapes and, worst of all, billions of sea lice resulting in our indigenous salmon becoming almost extinct.
The east of Scotland’s salmon rivers and lochs have been hit by a plague of cormorants which have devastated trout and grayling stock.
The Tay and Earn are among the worst hit, with anglers deserting them.
A licence should be available to cull a limited number of birds to protect fisheries but thanks to bureaucracy and stupidity, licences are not available.
Michael C. Smith.Threapmuir Farm,Cleish,Kinross.
Economic catastrophe
Sir, I admire the way in which your newspaper is highlighting the effort to keep Leuchars as a base for the Royal Air Force.
I strongly support this as its loss would be a retrograde step for the safety of our country and an economic disaster for that part of Fife as well as Dundee.
R. Wilson.Kilrymont,Bruach Lane,Pitlochry.
Drivers must take responsibility
Sir, I have been reading of Scotland’s latest safety campaign which urges rural drivers to cut their speed or join a long list of casualties. This campaign echoes what I, as a former driving examiner have been saying for many years that speed kills.
You could alter the roads as much as you like, but it is still the person behind the wheel who is responsible for whatever happens.
Neil G. Sinclair.New Fleurs,St Martins,Balbeggie.
Bankers free to wreak havoc
Sir, I take exception to the claim by your correspondent Donald MacLeod that the Labour Government was to blame for wrecking the economy and nearly bankrupting the country.
During Gordon Brown’s 10 years as Chancellor, this country had the longest period of sustained economic growth in history, with lower inflation and lower unemployment than during the disastrous Thatcher years.
As for the near bankruptcy, this was caused by the greedy banking fraternity, who still enjoy the freedom to do the same again.
Alister Rankin.93 Whyterose Terrace,Methil.
A bridge too few
Sir, I am afraid Stephen Young got it wrong when he stated that the new bridge over the Forth will be the fifth bridge counting downstream from the Old Stirling Bridge.
Even discounting the rail bridge at Stirling (why?) as he suggests, the new bridge will be the sixth bridge.
The existing bridges are Old Stirling Bridge; the road bridge into Stirling; Forth Bridge at Cambuskenneth; two bridges at Kincardine. And the new crossing will be the sixth bridge.
George McAllister.85 Alma Street,Falkirk.
Name crossing after Adam Smith
Sir, I suggest the name Adam Smith Bridge for the new Forth crossing.
He had many connections with the area and, as an economist, would have had many ideas on how to deliver the project on budget.
Rhoda Davie.Mountpleasant,Newburgh.
Desecration of our landscape
Sir, How ironic that the anti-nuclear propaganda of the Greens has led to the desecration of the Scottish landscape with windmills.
To integrate large wind farms with the grid also necessitates a huge investment in pumped hydro storage schemes in our priceless glens.
Meanwhile, much of the rest of the world is building nuclear as fast as it can.
It does seem silly to deny ourselves reliable, cheaper electricity for the sake of nebulous principles.
Having walked and loved the Scottish hills for nearly 70 years, it breaks my heart.
Stephen Grieve.60 Nethergate,Crail.
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.