Sir, On March 1 Gordon Rennie wrote about the debate on who should have the right to own land should there be a Yes vote for an independent Scotland, a debate which is very important, not just for estate owners and farmers but for all the people of Scotland and one which should be brought to the fore in future referendum debates.
When I read the phrase “who should have the right to own land” I thought of the people who have fought for this land since time began right up to the present day.
There can be very few people in Scotland who don’t have a relation or someone close to them who has not given their all for the country, so the first to own land should be the people.
In my opinion, windfarms, hydro dams etc. should all come under state control.
The proposed wind farm at Bandirran is a perfect example as why we should have state control of some of the land, as it has an absentee landlord and an English-based developer taking millions of pounds from Scotland and giving nothing back. We are being robbed.
The same can be said for housing. Land needed for our own people is sold at extortionate prices by greedy landowners who are first in the queue for any freebies or subsidies (paid by the taxpayer of course).
They don’t think of the people of Scotland and, unfortunately for us, we seem to be ruled by people who have no interest or care in what is happening in our country. Greed and self interest is the norm nowadays.
Gordon Rennie quoted Crazy Horse as saying: “One does not sell the land people walk on.”
I quote Chief Seattle: “The Earth does not belong to man man belongs to theEarth.”
J. Nicoll Hamewith The Saucher by Perth
Sir Sean’s generosity
Sir, Yet again the naysayers spout their bile in your newspaper.
Sir Sean Connery is entitled to live where he likes period.
Furthermore, he has donated to and supported literally hundreds of charities.
One little-known fact about Sir Sean’s philanthropy is that he donated his entire salary (well over $1 million) from his Bond film Diamonds Are Forever to the Scottish International Educational Trust, which he co-founded.
This generous grant has benefited the lives of thousand of ordinary Scots.
He founded Friends of Scotland as a way to showcase Scottish cultural, educational, historical and genealogical connections between the United States and Scotland.
Every year, he hosts a benefit for the organisation, with funds raised going to charities such as Wounded Warrior Project, Paralysed Veterans of America and the Erskine Hospital.
Connery joined the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s Board of Advisors in 2011, has supported the Elton John Aids Foundation and Sea Shepherd Conservation.
In December 2003, he became the first star of the silver screen to collaborate with WFP in its global fight against hunger.
Connery appeared in a public service announcement illustrating how WFP uses every means of transport to deliver food aid to 113 million people in 80 countries.
Calum JM Duncan 16 Burn Street Downfield, Dundee
Good riddance to bad banks
Sir, I had a quiet smile to myself when I heard RBS and Lloyds would take their headquarters to London in the event of a Yes vote. It couldn’t happen fast enough as far as I am concerned. Does anyone else in Scotland feel intense embarrassment whenever RBS is mentioned?
Under Sir Fred Goodwin, it brought the economy to the brink with its gambling and prime mortgage lending.
As for Lloyds, it took over the Trustees Savings Bank, which was seen as the bank of the working classes.
I well remember my mother giving me a shilling a week while at school to ensure one day I had a proper bank account. Lloyds also sold inappropriate mortgage protection.
Please someone or a consortium set up the Caledonian Bank, which will be known for its integrity and honesty.
Wishful thinking? I hope not.
Ercell Carruthers 11 Poplar Ave Blairgowrie
Punish attacks
Sir, In Monday’s “Courier”, the statistics relating to attacks on A&E staff showed a frightening disregard for such dedicated people, which now appears to apply to all members of the emergency services.
However, I do not hear the Justice Secretary making any comment with a view to ensuring such attacks are dealt with appropriately by the courts.
John McDonald, 14, Roseberry Court, Kirkcaldy
On the streets?
Sir, You reported there are 17,258 full time Police Scotland officers “on the streets”.
At any one time somewhere between a third and a half will be off duty, a percentage will be unavailable due to illness, a percentage will be unavailable due to court duty and a percentage will be unavailable due to duty in police stations.
Surely the important figure concerning police officers is how many, say at 11am, are available to be “on the streets”.
Alan Provan 19 Park Place Elie