The issues exercising minds today are the treatment of travellers, religious persecution, cyclists and drivers, and the independence referendum.
Travellers victim of health and safety rules
Sir,-As a Scottish traveller and Courier reader for over 40 years, I accept that your correspondent A. T. Geddie (May 7) is free to criticise travelling people.
My teenage uncle died, my father was wounded and many more from my community fought in both wars to preserve this freedom of speech.
In the past when Scotland provided natural sites (no man’s land) for travellers to reside on while they wandered as their ancestors had done, there were seldom problems. Scotland knew that the remnants of the old clan system were out there, living and surviving.
Scotland is thick with heather moorland and miles of windswept shore lines, where travellers historically camped.
After the last war, farmers in Perth and Angus eagerly awaited the travellers with their tattie howking squads and berry pickers, providing decent sites with toilets and washing facilities. Their work brought prosperity to the vast agricultural belt.
Then farmers found that laws regarding sites demanded strict health and safety regimes, so they then turned to contractors who employed Eastern European squads.
From the early 1960s I began to notice giant boulders being placed at the entrance to most of the old traditional sites.
So now there are no sites, no places to stop and the travellers have become unaccepted a problem.
The law locks up the man who steals the goose from off the common but lets the greater villain loose, who steals the common off the goose.
Jess Smith.1 Glenturret,Crieff.
Religious persecution
Sir,-As an atheist it is not often I speak up for Christians but bravo to your correspondents (May 9) for two excellent letters.
Angela Rennie is right to expose the double standard in this country in relation to ridiculing religion.
Christians and atheists get to verbally bash each other to their hearts’ content. And so it should be. But try exposing Mohammed’s feet of clay.
Charles Knox draws attention to the plight of Christians in Pakistan. As recent events in Egypt show it is not just in Pakistan that Christians suffer under Islam.
And the treatment of Pakistan’s Ahmadis, Iran’s Baha’is and critics of Islam everywhere shows that it is not just Christians who are the victims.
(Dr) Stephen Moreton.33 Marina Avenue,Great Sankey,Warrington.
A90 cyclist not at fault
Sir,-I write with regard to Ray Trusty’s letter (May 7) where he had to “violently brake” for a cyclist on a dual carriageway as he was being overtaken and a cyclist loomed into view as he rounded a blind corner.
May I suggest that in this instance the fault does not lie with the cyclist but with Mr Trusty for rounding a blind corner without decelerating to a speed within his visible braking distance.
The consequences of a child, broken-down vehicle or, as in this case, a cyclist being hit when taking a blind corner are all too obvious.
I am not condoning cyclists as I too have experienced and witnessed many accidents waiting to happen with irresponsible cyclists.
Colin Topping.26 Crathes Close,Glenrothes.
Major celebrity or rural roads
Sir,-I raised a smile on reading Neil Sinclair’s letter (May 6).
He said that he was so exhausted while cycling to visit friends in Fife that he slumped on to the grass verge. Suddenly, three cars stopped to ask if he was alright.
What he omitted to say is that he is 93 years of age. I occasionally meet him while cycling round the lovely quiet roads in the Collace area.
A few years ago he came to my aid when my bike broke down near his cottage.
He walked me back to his home where his wife made me tea and scones then he lent me one of his many bikes to ride home to Bridge of Earn.
Mr Sinclair is affectionately known as The Major to Dundee club cyclists of my vintage. On inquiring on the state of his health, he pats his saddle and says, “This is my doctor.”
Barry Carnegie.9 Earngrove,Kintillo.
May 5 vote not for independence
Sir,-Marilyn Livingstone was wrong in her assertion that “if you vote for the SNP, you are voting for independence” (May 7).
This was an election for the Scottish Parliament the constitutional issue of independence is a separate matter and cannot be assumed by the result of this election.
Clearly the Scottish electorate considered that the SNP, with purely Scottish interests at heart, was the party best able at this time to govern the affairs of Scotland.
A future referendum will determine the wishes of the Scottish people with regard to total independence.
Elizabeth Mayne.96 Colliston Road,Dunfermline.
Salmond shies from referendum
Sir,-Alex Salmond has given no reason whatsoever as to why the referendum on independence must wait until 2014.
The vote comes in the same year as Scotland hosts the Ryder Cup, the second celebration of The Homecoming and the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.
The people of Scotland cannot be left in suspense indefinitely. We have a right to a quick settlement of this constitutional issue.
If Salmond is reluctant to put the question to the people, then David Cameron must exercise his legal constitutional powers to do so.
Margaretha Linacre.21 Marshall Place,Perth.
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.