Sir, As a member of The Friends of HMS Unicorn, I was pleased to read the recent comments by Jim Crumley flagging-up the many attractions of this unique warship, which we are remarkably fortunate to have berthed in Dundee.
It is worth adding to his account that at a recent reception attended by Princess Anne and The First Sea Lord, it was announced that the Unicorn is on the way to becoming a full member of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The museum includes Nelson’s Victory, and has recently saved HMS Caroline in Belfast with a major investment of £14m.
Unicorn is the only vessel in Scotland to be under consideration for this status by the museum. However, I was dismayed that Jim reported a view of one of the trustees that she thought Unicorn could not compete with Discovery. I feel it would have been more helpful to readers to hear the official views of the board of trustees from its chairman.
Readers will gather that I am one of those whom Jim describes as having the “arrogant presumption” to believe that Unicorn has so much tourist potential that it deserves to be given a prominent role in the waterfront development. Hiding her away in isolation about half a mile away would be disastrous.
Just imagine what an attraction it would be if we had Unicorn, Discovery and a museum covering the history of whaling and shipbuilding in Dundee all in close proximity, so that families and school parties could take in the city’s entire maritime history in one enticing visit.
Elsewhere in the UK we have seen how vision and enthusiasm has turned the Mary Rose a shattered wreck of only half a vessel into a major tourist attraction.
One wonders why the relatively low-cost establishment of a central maritime heritage centre, with its widespread appeal, to all ages, is not being given the most serious consideration. Dundee must be the only city in Scotland that has this remarkable opportunity within its grasp.
Brian Lawrenson. 51 Bay Road, Wormit.
It certainly is a “scare” story
Sir, The latest shock revelation that myself and thousands of other pensioners could lose their “British” state pension in the event of a “yes” vote, will no doubt be passed off by the SNP leadership as mere scaremongering.
Well they would be right. It certainly has me scared that something I have just recently received and the only benefit I have ever claimed, I might add is at risk of being taken away from me at some time in the near future.
There are still too many “ifs” and “buts” with nothing concrete forthcoming. No plan B or any other realistic response from Nicola and Alex, to make me feel there is a way that the Scots can exist, with the same level of comfort as now.
I have the distinct feeling that reliance on North Sea Oil is based on the assumption that planet Earth is basically hollow and full of oil. Well, as someone who has worked in the industry for a number of years, I can tell you that this is not the case. As a “yes” campaigner stated to me at Arbroath Seafest last year, and I quote: “Finance will be sorted out once we get independence.” Talk about arrogance!
I don’t believe the majority do not have (to say the least) serious misgivings about the ability to have a fully self-sustaining Scotland, but heaven help us if there is more lunacy than sanity in the Scottish electorate. In the event there is, I shall be going home to Yorkshire after almost 50 years.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham, by Forfar.
Who do they represent?
Sir, A body of 10 named academics have asserted their support for the “yes” campaign and claim that the future of Scottish higher education will be threatened by staying in the UK.
While they are rightly entitled to hold and to air their personal views, it is not clear if they represent any official university association, a majority of academics and college lecturers, or if they have been enabled to speak on behalf of all Scottish universities and colleges.
Angus Brown. The Orchard, Station Road, Longforgan.
Take pride in our religion
Sir, While staying at a hotel, part of a large UK hotel chain, I was surprised to discover that there was no Gideon bible in my hotel room.
When I checked out Imentioned this to the receptionist who told me the reason for this was, as an organisation, they are frightened of offending guests who are of another religion.
I have never heard of such nonsense. In the UK the main religion is Christianity and in 2011, at a speech in Oxford, David Cameron said the UK was a Christian country and should not be afraid to show it.
It is time to stop the politically correct brigade pandering to other religions, that more than likely don’t have a problem with Christianity anyway, and be proud of being a Christian country.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.