Sir, – I write in agreement with your correspondent David Kelly (June 11) who argued that a proposed Orange Order march in Perth should not be subsidised.
Perth and Kinross Council were quite correct to question the funding and policing costs of the march to be held in Perth and to describe this as discrimination is almost ludicrous.
I am sure that even the Orange Order would admit that at times their events have been a cause of some trouble both in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Councils are quite correct to ensure the population are safe from any violence or abuse.
Thankfully, a bigger event in Glasgow passed off without incident but I cannot help but think, do we really need these antiquated and divisive events in modern
Scotland where a majority of Scots think this is an organisation which sometimes attracts those with a misguided idea of Protestant domination over Catholics?
I wonder if the Orange Order understand that their great hero’s army at the Boyne was part-funded by the Catholic church.
If they do, then giving thanks to the then pope and Catholic church would be more appropriate and would perhaps make them look less sectarian in the eyes of many people.
Bryan Auchterlonie. Bluebell Cottage, Ardargie, Perth.
Flyover will cut accident rate
Sir, – It is great news about the prospects of a Laurencekirk flyover. The Scottish Government has at last conceded that a grade-separated junction on the A90 is the best of several options to improve safety.
I live in Auchenblae but go down to Brechin through Edzell to join the A90 and then go south purely to avoid this junction.
The main problem with this road is bad driving.
People drive too fast or too slow and overtake dangerously.
I have used this road for 30 years and have lost friends to accidents over the years.
Most people use the road sensibly but there are a few who seem determined to deliberately drive without care and consideration and continue to cause serious incidents on this road.
I fear the carnage will continue until these few drivers are caught and made examples of by heavy fines from the courts.
So I certainly welcome the prospect of a flyover at the Laurencekirk junction.
Peter Crowther. Glenfarquhar Cottage, Inverurie Street, Auchenblae.
Sturgeon ducks oil question
Sir, – Despite Nicola Sturgeon calling for austerity measures to be axed, she was quick enough to jet off on a taxpayer-funded trip to the United States during which she appeared on a chat show.
When she was asked by the host, Jon Stewart, about the economic uncertainty caused by the oil situation, Ms Sturgeon said she was trying to get away from the price of oil.
This response shows that she is in complete denial about the oil situation and what a disastrous position Scotland would be in now if we had voted yes last September.
This was pretty much the SNP’s response during the referendum campaign to the oil-price collapse.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Scotland needs an opposition
Sir, – Am I alone in perceiving a surreal contradiction in Scottish politics at present?
The telegenic Nicola Sturgeon was the surprise hit of the general election campaign and now appears to have gone down well on a US light entertainment TV show.
Opinion polls tell us that support for the SNP relentlessly rises, but why?
Serious domestic problems persist for which the SNP administration is solely responsible.
Accident and emergency waiting times continue to exceed even the SNP’s reduced targets and our schools are beset by declining standards in literacy and numeracy while college places are cut.
New policies, that should be controversial, such as state-appointed guardians for all children and centralisation of policing don’t seem to concern the Scottish public at large.
It is widely acknowledged by most independent advisers, and even implicitly by Ms Sturgeon, that full fiscal autonomy would cause wide-reaching austerity, yet we can be certain that SNP MPs will effect outrage when the inclusion of full fiscal autonomy in the Scotland Bill is rejected by a “bullying” Tory government.
Those of us who think that the SNP should focus on addressing Scotland’s serious domestic problems and stop obsessing about constitutional reform appear to be largely silent as the SNP PR juggernaut rolls ever onwards.
We urgently need a strong voice in Holyrood to speak on our behalf.
Martin Redfern. 4 Royal Circus, Edinburgh.
Jacobites were not ‘yes’ backers
Sir, – The entry into parliament in London by members of the SNP, mentioned by several of your correspondents last week, was a bit childish.
It was also historically inept but possibly also informative about the SNP.
If as were told, the white rose represents Jacobitism and Scottish independence, it also represents Roman Catholicism and the desire of Jacobites to have the Stuart monarchy restored.
No independence for Scotland was ever mentioned by the Jacobites, as far as I know.
I trust the SNP is not a party of religion?
A T Geddie. 68, Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.
Wildlife brings us delight
Sir, – I was a little disappointed by the outcome of the ballot to choose a national bird for Britain but I am happy to go along with the democratic choice of the robin.
It is an instantly recognisable part of British life. It stands out in the snows of winter and its colouring provides a sharp contrast to the lush vegetation of spring and early summer.
My choice was the blackbird. Its song provides the background music to life in this country and its antics can keep us amused for hours.
A blackbird that visits my garden enjoys nothing better than sitting on the grass, spreading its wings and enjoying the sunshine.
The ballot was a bit of fun but at least it served to focus our attention on the beauty and value of the wildlife on our doorsteps.
Bob Ferguson. North Muirton, Perth.
Are windfarms in wrong place?
Sir, – The supporters and developers of renewables in Scotland are panicking over the prospect of onshore wind subsidies disappearing
For years we have been hearing the lie that Scotland is the Saudi Arabia of renewables and that it has 25% of Europe’s renewables potential.
Europe generated 1040 TeraWatt hours from renewables in 2012, while Scotland only achieved 14.5 TWh, or just 1.4% of Europe’s total.
If subsides continue in Scotland this will have the effect that wind- farms, which would have been built in England, will be built in Scotland instead.
This does not make sense when you look at other renewable statistics.
The European Environment Agency has published a map showing average wind velocity at turbine hub height, and surprisingly, the south-east of England, including the Home Counties around London, has some of the best wind resources in the UK.
Yet it has only one major windfarm. Also, new wind farms in the south east would not need the new pylon lines that remote Scottish schemes require.
Additionally, this region has 27% of UK electricity consumers. Shouldn’t we be building windfarms in Surrey and Sussex instead of Sutherland?
Shouldn’t our southern neighbours be doing their bit?
Geoff Moore. 23 Braeface Park, Alness.
Human Rights Act gravy train
Sir, – If ever there was an example of the need to repeal the European Human Rights Act and bring in a British bill of rights for 21st century Britain it is the case of Phillip Harkins, a Scot who is wanted in the United States over a fatal gunpoint robbery in Florida in 1999.
He was imprisoned in the UK in 2003 for killing a woman while driving in Scotland and the US immediately started extradition proceedings.
So for 12 years, Harkins has been using the Human Rights Act to avoid deportation, with his lawyers more than happy to pick up their fees courtesy of the British taxpayer.
It is time to stop their gravy train, change the law and put him on the next plane to America.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Stop this filthy behaviour
Sir, – Many councils hand out dog-waste bags for free which is to be welcomed.
I do, however, take exception to how some of these bags are misused by dog owners.
In woodlands across the country we find filled bags hanging on trees and bushes at the exact height that curious children can reach out and handle.
It goes without saying that this is a health risk to these children or anyone else who becomes the victim of this filthy practice.
Is it laziness, stupidity or just downright badness by these dog owners?
This is disgusting behaviour and this selfishness should cease immediately.
Charles Wilson. King’s Road, Rosyth.
Sign of Brown’s frugality
Sir, – I do not think we should grudge Gordon Brown the few, well 250, pen refills he claimed from parliament.
He is not known for his excess and, from memory, I believe he even gave up his Prime Minister’s pension.
Mr Brown has remained loyal to his constituency and is more at home at Stark’s Park or in Cowdenbeath or campaigning to keep Kirkcaldy’s Tesco than on the international stage.
That is quite a contrast to his predecessor, Tony Blair, who is believed to have made millions in international deals since leaving office.
Mr Brown is at least handing back the unused special pen refills which he needs because of his poor eyesight.
Alexander Forbes. Lee Crescent, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.