Sir, I was saddened to learn that once again an official organisation has decided it has the power to alter the course of nature. I refer to the proposed cull (another word for kill) of feral goats around Loch Lomond.
This follows in the footsteps of Scottish Natural Heritage who killed hundreds of hedgehogs in certain Hebridean islands, refusing to listen to suggestions that they could be trapped and rehomed on the mainland. Today the hedgehog population in the whole of Britain is under threat. Need I say more?
SNH also in recent times carried out a cull of hundreds of deer near Balmoral to protect some trees.
I do not know what kind of trees they were but they cost the poor deer population in that area dearly (no pun intended).
The RSPB also is using the same argument at Loch Lomond so it is apparent that trees have more rights than the local wildlife.
Well the RSPB should be aware that its subscribers also have rights. In particular the right to cease donations and withdraw from subscriptions.
Robert Finlay. 30 North Greens, Burntisland.
Putting the record straight
Sir, As representatives of the Crieff Community Trust, we are writing to correct inaccuracies in a letter from Mr Robert Gibbons of the Lawers Estate in Comrie (Courier, October 31) stating that “some £300,000 spent on the Core Path between Comrie and Crieff which nobody wants”.
Firstly, after extensive consultation with our community in the form of meetings, interviews and an open day event attended by 500 people, the Crieff Community Action Plan was published earlier this year, highlighting a strong community desire for the development of local path and cycle networks, among which, the completion of the Crieff-to-Comrie core path was identified as the top priority.
Therefore, on behalf of the 430 plus members of the Crieff Community Trust, as well as many in our wider community, we can say, emphatically, that we do want the core path between Crieff and Comrie, largely following the line of the former railway as identified in the council’s core paths plan and endorsed by Scottish Government Reporters.
Secondly, the council have allocated £30,000 for improvements to the existing path, as part of their 2016/17 budget, not £300,000 as suggested. And to date, nothing has been spent on the path.
Working together, representatives from PKC, Comrie and Crieff have identified that this sum will be inadequate to bring the path up to the standard required and are seeking grant funding to complete the path.
While we have sympathy for the main thrust of Mr Gibbons’ letter in relation to Bumblebee Square, we felt it important to respond and provide accurate details in relation to the Comrie – Crieff path.
Stuart McKeggie. Paths Group Co-ordinator, Crieff Community Trust. Dawn Griesbach. Chair, Crieff Community Trust.
Change the anthem
Sir, It is welcome news that the first 12 Scots to be honoured under the commemorative plaque scheme have been named, but your report (November 11) omitted to mention that the composer Hamish MacCunn is one of them.
Whatever the result of the 2014 referendum, maybe James MacMillan could adapt MacCunn’s wonderful piece “Land of the Mountain and the Flood” to create a far better Scottish National Anthem than those currently on offer.
And our makar Liz Lochhead or poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy could pen some forward-looking inspirations rather than nostalgic sentiment.
My late father’s preference, however, was “Bonnie Dundee”!
John Birkett. 12 Horseleys Park, St Andrews.
Haiyan will be the new norm
Sir, The devastation brought about by Typhoon Haiyan is going to become the new norm due to conditions brought about by climate change.
There is a link between climate change and increasing storm intensity. As the planet (particularly the oceans) heats, simple physics indicates that the energy stored is likely to increase the intensity and frequency of devastating storms like Haiyan, at great cost to coastal communities.
While individual storms such as Haiyan cannot be directly attributed to such changes, the statistics of such storms will help build a picture of how climate change is affecting the planet.
Alan Hinnrichs. 2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.
Stunning event at Lochee Park
Sir, I write to applaud the council and all relevant persons involved in the spectacle at Lochee Park on November 5. I have witnessed many displays all across the country and in the United States and the display in Lochee was comparable, if not better, then some of the best I have seen.
It was a stunning display of pyrotechnics and the synchronisation with the music was a great surprise. I was dreading a barrage of “pop”, but instead we were treated to stirring classical music (including the “Game of Thrones” theme).
Again, well done to all involved, you did yourselves proud!
Joe Lamb. 292 Rosemount Road, Ardler Village, Dundee.
Nothing is safe with them
Sir, Dr Wardrop (letters, November 7) has his work cut out if he expects to be able to influence Perth & Kinross Council to take more notice of voters’ wishes.
The decision to cut down the tree at Perth Academy in spite of opposition from many people including students at the academy, is reminiscent of the decision made just over a year ago to grant planning permission to Uplands Developments for the wholesale redevelopment of the centre of Pitlochry and its virtual despoliation of the town as an attractive tourist venue.
This thoughtless and harmful decision was taken by the planning committee (or at least by the SNP members on the committee) in spite of opposition from a majority of people in Pitlochry.
I very much doubt whether any of the SNP councillors actually visited the town before making their misguided decision. So much for democracy in Perthshire and so much for the SNP’s democratic credentials!
It is a pity that such a thoughtless set of councillors are in charge of one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Neither trees, nor townscapes nor mountain landscapes are safe from their ridiculous policies.
Roger West. Croftinloan, Pitlochry.
Population has stagnated
Sir, George Aimer talks about immigration devaluing our culture. Italian fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours anyone?
The serious point to be made is that Scotland population has stagnated over the entire twentieth century. In 1901 our population was 4.5 million. At that time Denmark had 2.4 million, Norway 2.2 million and Sweden 5.2 million.
By 2011, Scotland’s population had increased by 20% to 5.3 million, whereas Denmark had grown by 129% to 5.6 million, Norway by 123% to 5.0 million and Sweden by 84% to 9.5 million.
These figures, the result of generations of emigration, show conclusively that Scotland has been ill served by the union and needs to control its own destiny.
Cllr Bill Duff. 5 MacDiarmid Drive, Hillside, Montrose.
Festival a great boost for area
Sir, Businesses in and around Perthshire owe a debt of gratitude to Dougie MacLean and his team for their Amber music festival.
The annual festival in late October and early November, which this year extended over 10 days, has not only become a highlight of Scotland’s folk music programme but also provides a significant boost to the local economy. Dunkeld, which has a special place in Dougie’s background and affections, is one of the places which has benefited. Like other businesses in the town we have noticed a substantial increase in visitors during Perthshire Amber. We have welcomed large numbers of guests from many parts of the UK and far further afield who have travelled here to attend the event.
Apart from enjoying the music and socialising they have also sampled the hospitality, food, drink, scenery and wildlife for which Dunkeld, Perthshire and Caledonia are renowned. Many will return and bring friends and family with them.
We are already looking forward to Perthshire Amber 2014!
Alan Berwick. Director of Operations, Atholl Arms Hotel and Riverview restaurant, Dunkeld.
Unreasonable parking costs
Sir, Rather than the cost of empty car park spaces, what about the cost to those using them?
At around £7 for over six hours the cost soon mounts up for regular visitors, students and workers.
I shudder to think how much I have added to Dundee Council’s coffers over the years as I have been all three at various times.
If the cost was more reasonable perhaps more spaces would be used. Where can you park all day or more than a day, at reasonable cost and safety to take the train or bus for a trip?
Most cities reduce congested city centre routes by park and ride. Rush hour is taken out of the centre. Rejecting this is so short-sighted of the council.
Issy Valentine. Lour Road, Forfar.
We should thank our lucky stars
Sir, I have just had a knee replacement operation at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy and cannot praise enough the staff in ward 10, theatre and recovery for the excellent treatment I received while there. We should thank our lucky stars for such a high standard of free treatment through our NHS.
William Cunningham. Cowdenbeath.