Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir – I read the article in Tuesday’s Courier regarding ”new street hundreds of years old” with some bewilderment, as the new/old name was revealed as Argyllgait.
The reason I was bewildered was the fact the street name was being championed by the SNP administration and, in particular, Councillor Will Dawson, as the street is, effectively, being renamed after the Clan Campbell who were heavily involved in the murder of members of Clan McDonald under the orders of the king of England.
They were also the king of England’s champions against the Jacobites and heavily involved in the Highland clearances.
The duke of Argyll, head of the Clan Campbell, also welcomed Oliver Cromwell to Scotland the same Oliver Cromwell who ordered the burning of the city of Dundee.
I wonder if the bastions of Scottish independence are aware of the history of Scotland and, in particular, Dundee.
If they are then how can they believe it is appropriate to rename the street Argyllgait?
If they don’t know the history, perhaps they can go and do some research before taking any more decisions on Dundee’s future.
Allan Petrie.109 Blacklock Crescent,Dundee.
Vital doctors have say on strike action
Sir – I hope that Dr Cameron has voted in the ballot on industrial action on changes to NHS pensions it is vital that all doctors have their say (Letter: Self Serving Trade Union, May 29).
The model of industrial action that the BMA is proposing is not ”strike action” as the term is normally understood by the public. Doctors would be in their place of work as usual, providing all urgent and necessary care, and we have emphasised the importance of advance planning and co-operation with managers to ensure patient safety.
At no time have we suggested that industrial relations officers will have any input into the clinical decisions made by doctors on the day; rather, they will offer advice and support in developing plans with local NHS board managers.
Industrial action was always a last resort. We have reached this point very reluctantly, as a result of the UK Government’s refusal to consider any rethink of its unfair and unnecessary changes to NHS pensions, which would mean doctors paying twice as much as civil servants, even those on similar pay for similar pensions.
Dr Brian Keighley.Chairman, BMA Scotland.
Wind turbines would destroy glorious views
Sir – I am sure that everyone has seen a wind turbine in the Angus countryside by now and heard the argument that, because of global warming, we need renewable energy production from hydro, wind, wave/tidal, solar and biomass sources. Fair enough, but at what cost to our natural landscape heritage?
In Scotland we are custodians of some of the finest and most picturesque landscape to be found anywhere in the world yet seem determined to give it all up in order to comply with renewable energy targets, especially when the easy option of wind turbines is being hurricaned prematurely through rather inadequate planning regulations.
A huge, hill-top windfarm consisting of 17 turbines, each 135 metres high, is planned for our remotest and most untouched glen at Lethnot.
Generally, wind turbines have been proven to run at 25% efficiency because of wind reliability and power grid limitations. Is it worth destroying the historic glen and hill landscapes found in Angus for such transitory and commercially-motivated energy schemes?
In my opinion this will mean the destruction of one of the most glorious, panoramic views in Scotland and turn our hills into places that are only seen as industrial sites by energy companies.
Our wellbeing is linked to where we live so the psalm ‘I to the hills will lift my eyes’ will no longer yield any spirituality for mind and soul.
Dave Adam.19 Scott Street,Brechin.
Recruitment key for The Black Watch
Sir – It is good to see that the efforts to save The Black Watch name and existence have borne some fruit (Friday May 18).
We must try to keep the recruiting up to the sought-after levels, since that, apparently, is one of the reasons being floated for alleged proposals for amalgamation or worse.
A tricky thing to ask our young men to be prepared to put themselves into the line of fire. Many of the regiment’s veterans were conscripts because of war or national service.
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Ave,Glenrothes.
Help the poor politicians
Sir – The House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, said that politicians who drink too much are increasingly seeking help for their addiction. I think these poor people should be helped.
This could be done by immediately closing all the bars and restaurants, since they have always operated at a huge loss.
The politicians would gain with better health and the taxpayers would gain by a lowering of their politically-induced high blood pressure.
The public would, then, only be driven to drink by politicians’ attention to trivia instead of real political and economic issues.
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
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.