Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I never thought I would find myself in the same camp as the awesome and awful Donald Trump, but he has got one thing right it is worrying that Scotland is depending more and more on tourism as the saviour of the economy.
There is nothing wrong with tourism it has led to an enormous upsurge in the quality of restaurants, hotels, etc but it is manufacturing that is going to pay the bills, and that is going down rather than up.
Westminster and Edinburgh plug green power for all it is worth, resulting in the ruination of many magnificent landscapes with pylons and windfarms in direct contrast to what is desired by the tourist industry.
Many of your readers have put far better than I am able how inefficient wind power is. Much more worrying is how likely it is that we are going to run out of power altogether and become reliant on European neighbours, who have more sense than we do, for necessary imported power.
Nobody in Britain is investing in new and proper power stations. We have under Scotland about a 500-year supply of coal. We also have the technology to extract cleanly electric power from this coal.
Why are we not doing the sensible thing and creating thousands of jobs in extracting and using this coal and becoming a massive exporter of power?
Political obstinacy? Flexible thinking, it seems, is highly regarded in every area, except where it involves a politician doing a u-turn.
Robert Lightband.Clepington Court,Dundee.
Rugby club finances are in robust health
Sir, – I refer to the article published in The Courier on February 6, reporting Cupar Community Council’s support of Howe of Fife RFC’s efforts to explore the possibility of it creating clubhouse facilities at Duffus Park, Cupar.
The club welcomes the community council’s support of this venture. However, the comments in the article attributed to its chairman, Canon Pat McInally, as regards the club’s financial integrity were wholly inaccurate.
Howe of Fife RFC is not, and never has been “…just about bankrupt…” as Canon McInally was quoted as saying. To the contrary, the finances of the rugby club are in robust health with its clubhouse operation trading profitably.
I am sure that neither Canon McInally, nor any of the members of the community council, would have intended to cast doubt on the club’s financial well-being, but, that, unfortunately, is what the article has achieved.
In these circumstances, it is important that the record be set straight in order to allay any unfounded concerns that may have been raised amongst both the club’s membership and the general public.
Over many years Howe of Fife RFC has built a deserved reputation as a force in developing youth rugby. The project currently under consideration is driven by the club’s ambition to build on that reputation and, ultimately, if possible, to provide improved facilities for all its members, but, in particular, the youth of the club.
David Harley.President,Howe of Fife RFC.
Where is the evidence?
Sir, – Isn’t living in Scotland interesting? Despite 75% of the electorate declining to vote SNP last May and the referendum being at least two years away, Ian Angus claims in his letter (February 8) that Mr Salmond has a “mandate for independence”!
As if that’s not enough he has decided that those who choose not to vote in the referendum must be opposed to the union, so a vote of less than 50% for independence will give the “green light” to go ahead with negotiations.
Where on earth does he get the evidence for these statements?
Kenn McLeod.70 Ralston Drive,Kirkcaldy.
Memories of Willie Logan
Sir, – The article on the 50th anniversary of Loganair brought back memories of founder, Willie Logan.
In the early 1960s my parents lived in Magdalen Yard Road, overlooking the Riverside Drive airstrip. Blazing oil drums lining the grass runway often announced the early morning arrival of Willie to inspect work on the Tay Road Bridge.
I worked for a spell then at Caird’s in Reform Street, and on occasions there would be a hammering on the door before opening time, as he came post-haste from Riverside looking for a quick haircut!
John Crichton.6 Northampton Place,Forfar.
The road is not to blame
Sir, – I refer to an article you ran on the front page quite recently, Shock at speeders on the A9.
As an ex-driving examiner and member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, I know the A9 having used it for years and have experienced some dreadful acts of overtaking at speeds over the limit.
I certainly do not blame the road. All roads are safe without traffic.
Neil G. Sinclair.St Martins, Balbeggie,Perthshire.
Poor response
Sir, – Further to your recent article, Windfarm response is positive, which referred to a proposal to erect a windfarm alongside the A822 tourist route between Crieff and Aberfeldy at a site above Connachan Farm, it may be illuminating to point out that the conclusions were based on only 50 responses a 1% return of the 5,000 survey questionnaires!
A totally insignificant response.
John Hughes.Crieff.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.