Let's stand up for our countryside and fight the march of the pylons
A friend recently criticised my objections to these massive pylons, saying: "I can't support the outrage of usually quite well-off people upset that their view may be spoiled". Quite apart from the fact that most of the people in the Borders hamlet of Yarrow Feus that Ms Goring refers to are not particularly well-off – locals include a nurse, a plumber, a rep for a roller blind firm and a retired teacher – it's not about individuals. It's about preserving the exquisite beauty of Scotland's landscape for future generations and about making sure we all have access to it.
There are countries with higher mountains and more dramatic waterfalls but few with the unique play of light and shade, the complex mix of the rugged and the peaceful that we have in Scotland.
Destroying the beauty of our countryside is like tearing our own lungs out, yet our governments have allowed this to happen all over the Highlands and Islands and the west of Scotland. Keir Starmer's so-called Labour Government intends to build on Green Belt land and actually included in its manifesto the commitment to force through planning consents over local opposition. Democracy is dead in this country – SPEN has not had its plans knocked back in 15 years.
Isn't it time we started protecting our country instead of sacrificing it for big business?
Jean Rafferty, Amble, Morpeth.
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Will Scotland change tack?
Gerard Quinn's letter (June 25) is a reminder that the debate about assisted dying isn't over, despite legislation allowing it having been passed by the UK Parliament and progressing at the Scottish Parliament. The Westminster vote was close, with 314 votes for and 291 against, a majority of only 23. However, a closer look reveals that's not the full picture.
The legislation approved by the House of Commons applies to England and Wales only, not to Scotland and Northern Ireland. On that basis, the SNP and some Northern Ireland MPs didn't take part in the vote; other parties did. The votes of MPs from Scotland and Northern Ireland MPs were 18 for and 38 against, with one MP (Wendy Chamberlain, North East Fife) having voted both ways.
Subtracting those votes from the totals, MPs representing constituencies in England and Wales voted 296 for and 253 against, a much clearer majority of 43. The smaller majority actually recorded does raise the question of why MPs representing constituents who aren't affected by the legislation thought it appropriate to take part in the vote. What happened to "English votes for English laws"?
Among MPs representing Scottish constituencies, there were 17 for and 29 against. This differs markedly from the Stage One vote last month at Holyrood, which saw 70 MSPs back the bill and 56 oppose it. I wonder if that majority will hold up all the way to Stage Three.
Doug Maughan, Dunblane.
Politicians, have a drink
Stephen Smith (Letters, June 26) accuses the powers that be of conducting a dishonest war on alcohol. This must be the politicians or bureaucrats; certainly not the medical profession.
Having entered my ninth decade on this planet, I have benefited for a number of years from an annual "MOT" from our overworked, but wonderful, NHS. At each "inspection" I am asked how much alcohol I drink. With a mock shamefaced look on my face, I truthfully inform the doctor or nurse that I am exceeding the Government's target by 100%, averaging between 25 and 30 units per week. After all, that is only one large glass of red wine with my evening meal and one large malt whisky before bed.
I have to say that no medical professional has met this confession with any suggestion that my intake is excessive. Perhaps the politicians would benefit from sharing a drink or two (and some wisdom) with a group of practising clinicians.
Eric Begbie, Stirling.
What makes for excessive consumption of alcohol? (Image: PA)
On the wrong track?
Intriguing though it was to read about "safeguarding patrollers" being deployed to improve safety on the railway network in Scotland ("Patrollers being introduced at train stations across Scotland in safety move", The Herald, June 26), would it not be worthwhile to consider solving security and safety issues more simply by staffing all the railway stations?
AJ Clarence, Prestwick.
A pair of pears
"Go pear-shaped" is the answer to clue 12 across in this week's Radio Times crossword, the clue being "Fail to start looking fruity? ( 2, 4-6)".
Some two hours after solving the puzzle, I find myself watching an early edition of Midsomer Murders, and hearing a character talking about the local mill project going pear-shaped.
I wonder whether readers of a statistical bent can suggest the odds on reading or hearing little-used words and phrases repeated within such a short period of time.
David Miller, Milngavie.
A bee in my bonnet
I'm getting a bit worried about myself in these dotage years.
In the 100 years ago section of "From Our Archives" today (The Herald, June 25) I read that a swarm of bees had caused a bit of consternation in Greenock, until a beekeeper successfully 'skepped' them.
Instead of just accepting this, I had to investigate 'skepped' and your readers will have the benefit of my research to now know that a 'skep' is a type of beehive. I can rest easy now.
Eric Macdonald, Paisley.
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