Letters: When will we Scots wake up to this energy folly?

The price of Natural Gas on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), which is the global benchmark, is down 33.89% this year. In the UK, however, the price has gone up by 14.49% in the very month that that the energy price cap was due to be set. No doubt energy companies in the UK will have a very good explanation for this.

Scotland is an energy-rich nation with an abundance of oil, gas and electricity. My own logic tells me that in such circumstances when global energy prices have fallen, people who live in energy-rich Scotland deserve to benefit from their nation's own resources. Hopefully some day a majority of the people who live in Scotland might have the sense to reach the same conclusion.

Jim Finlayson, Banchory.

End this net zero madness

THE news that average energy bills are about to go up by 10% brings to mind Aneurin Bevan’s 1945 observation that “this island is made mainly of coal and surrounded by fish. Only an organising genius could produce a shortage of coal and fish at the same time.”

The North of England and the Scottish Lowlands sit on vast reserves of natural gas, which could power the country and keep us warm for a lifetime. Only the net zero hysteria skilfully created by the Green movement and enforced by this and previous governments prevent us having a cheap, secure, plentiful domestic source of energy. Exploiting this national treasure would create a great many real skilled jobs.

Also, Britain was the first country to build a full-scale nuclear power station. Rolls-Royce, which has decades of experience, is developing modular nuclear reactors, which will be much cheaper and quicker to build. The Government should be ensuring that we start building these new reactors here as soon as possible.

The Government should sack Ed Miliband, abandon the net zero madness and commit to a balanced, sane energy policy of domestic hydrocarbon production and nuclear power.

Otto Inglis, Crossgates, Fife.

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SNP to blame for ScotRail woes

THE debate about the rights and wrongs of the Scottish Government restoring the higher peak time rail fares is a complex one and as Rebecca McQuillan ("Don't blame drivers - fix our trains", The Herald, August 22) said, the cost of free bus journeys for under 22-year-olds is significant but, of course, the SNP sees that group as worth buying votes from. Am I over cynical? I think not.

However, it was rather simplistic of Fiona Hyslop to say that her actions were required because the passenger increase was only 6.8% when 10% was required to make it work financially ("Dismay as peak rail fares return", The Herald, August 21) and, as expected, she threw in the now-to-be-expected comment that it was all a consequence of Westminster austerity.

For my part, the debate also needs to consider what effect the nationalised ScotRail “temporary timetable” has on the situation. From my conversations, I am quite clear that many people are not taking the train because the current timetable is both not attractive and unreliable. I have personal experience of trains on the Milngavie branch being cancelled at short notice (much to the joy of taxi drivers at Milngavie station) and friends have spoken about being unable to board overcrowded trains at Croy to go to Edinburgh. Many are not taking the train for these and other reasons.

The long-running dispute with train drivers lies at the feet of the Scottish Government which loudly and proudly promised a better railway when it nationalised it. That promise seems to have gone the same way as many others: education, health, drugs deaths and ferries to name a few.

Duncan Sooman, Milngavie.

Confusion over devolved powers

IN his insults directed at the Scottish Government (“litany of policy failures”; “incompetents”), Richard Allison (Letters, August 22) offers no supporting statistical evidence or international comparisons.

He gives as examples rising drugs deaths (drugs policy is specifically reserved to the UK Government) and the means-testing of the pensioners’ winter fuel allowance. The means-testing was introduced by the UK Labour Government at the same time as it devolved this policy to Holyrood. In this way Labour hoped that people like Richard Allison (who are evidently unsure which powers are devolved and which reserved) would blame Holyrood for the cutback.

Holyrood, unlike Westminster, has to operate within a fixed budget. To mitigate this latest UK-engendered cutback it would have to take the money from one of the already-stretched devolved areas such as education, health or housing. Is Mr Allison really unaware of this, or is he being disingenuous?

Mary McCabe, Glasgow.

Galloway: a young person's view

WHEN a Galloway National Park was first proposed in 2018, it seemed like a promising initiative: one that could protect the area's natural beauty and stimulate economic growth. After researching it, I realised that the establishment of a National Park could bring more disadvantages than benefits. But after hearing little more about it, I assumed the idea had been shelved, until July. Galloway had been chosen as a proposed National Park, catching me off guard.

The promotional materials, like the "It’s Our Time" document, suggested overwhelming support from young people, claiming that "the views of young people have been sought via a series of National Park-related projects in local schools". As a former student in a local school and a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Galloway and West Dumfries 2021-2024, I can confirm that neither I nor the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council, where I served as Vice-Chair, were consulted. Discussions with other young people revealed similar experiences: engagement with young people was minimal and often perceived as a tick-box exercise.

This lack of genuine consultation raises concerns about the democratic process behind the proposal. The National Park seems unnecessary and potentially harmful to the future of our communities. One concern is the lack of job opportunities in Galloway, leading many young people to leave the area. While proponents argue that a National Park will boost tourism, the jobs created are likely to be seasonal, low-paid, and offer little career progression. What Galloway needs are sustainable, long-term jobs that can support young people and families year-round. The restrictions associated with National Park status could hinder other forms of economic development, such as agriculture, forestry and renewable energy, worsening the region's economic stagnation.

Another issue is the potential impact on housing. Galloway already struggles with affordable housing, as homes are often bought for second homes or holiday lets. National Park status could introduce strict planning regulations, limiting new housing developments and making it harder for young people to stay in the area. This could lead to a situation where only wealthy retirees or second-home owners can afford to live here, eroding the fabric of our communities.

The influx of tourists could disrupt the region's cultural heritage and community values, turning our towns into tourist traps rather than places that serve the needs of locals. Environmental protection is another concern; increased tourism could lead to more litter, traffic, and pollution, damaging the landscapes the park is supposed to protect. Instead of a National Park, community-led conservation projects involving local people might be more effective in preserving the environment.

I believe the focus should be on creating opportunities for young people, preserving our communities, and protecting our environment in a way that benefits everyone, not just tourists. The future of Galloway should be built on sustainable development, affordable housing, and jobs that provide real prospects for young people. We need a voice in shaping our future, one that is genuinely listened to.

Alasdair Marshall (aged 19), Dumfries.

Freedom of choice

IN response to David Clark (Letters, August 23), there are in fact approximately one-third of independent school pupils who receive fee support, from means testing and for specific academic or sporting skills.

With around 30,000 independent school pupils in the country, I would suggest that 10,000 assisted places is in fact a significant number (200,000 in the UK), but I'm sure those 10,000 Scottish families are reassured by the attitude of such as Mr Clark who consider their freedom of choice and opportunity a waste of time.

Steph Johnson, Glasgow.

Low hopes for latte levy

COVERAGE of the proposed 25p tax on single-use coffee cups ("Public asked for views on ‘latte levy’", The Herald August 23) alerted my interest.

From January 2018 to December 2023, I counted the numbers of single-use drinks cups (both hot and cold) that I collected on a regular four-mile litter-pick.

My route was along the A93 to Old Scone, then up Stormont Road to Scone Cross, returning home along the A94 to Perth.

This project arose out of publicity surrounding an initiative, launched in January 2018, to reduce litter by encouraging the use of refillable cups.

I wanted to see by how much the roadside detritus declined over time.

Alas, this seems to have failed - at least in my survey area - as 2018 saw 1,093 single-use cups collected and, in 2023, 1,684. My figures show an increase every year, apart from 2020.

It remains to be seen if the proposed tax will be any more successful. For the record, in my six years of counting I have noted 4,712 hot drinks cups and 3,555 cold drinks. The cups' plastic covers and so-called "compostable" paper straws are just a further scourge on our landscape.

Will the proposed tax succeed in its aim? My breath is not being held.

Duncan Cameron, Perth.

Keep using Scots language

I WAS confused momentarily by the reference to “The Two Dogs of Robert Burns” (Letters, August 22). Of course it’s The Twa Dogs and we shouldn’t be shy of using the Scots of our national bard; I suspect almost all Herald readers understand it.

I remember operating a flight from Heathrow to, I think, Chicago. During the flight, I told the passengers that weather on arrival would be dreich. I knew what would happen and, sure enough, within minutes there was a call from the back galley saying people were asking what dreich meant. So I had the pleasure of explaining that simple, expressive Scots word.

Scots, like Gaelic, is a fine language that will die out if nobody uses it.

Doug Maughan, Dunblane.

Could Paris-style bateaux-mouches be an option for the Clyde? (Image: Getty)

A Seine idea for the Clyde

 THE hybrid ferries pictured on the Thames and referred to by Ian Gray (Letters, August 22) reminded me of a moonlight trip years ago on the river Seine on one of the fleet of glasshouse bateaux-mouches river cruisers with food, wine, music and commentary pointing out sights of interest. All very memorable. Would there be a viable market for that on the Clyde?

Alan Fitzpatrick, Dunlop.