Stop the carping and celebrate the success of Ferguson Marine yard

Putting these costs and delays into perspective, the High Speed Rail network, originally planned to reach as far as Glasgow and Edinburgh, has now cost £66.5 billion so far, the original estimate was £37.5bn and is unlikely to reach beyond Birmingham.

Let us congratulate the team at Ferguson Shipyard for finishing the job they started, and let us not forget the Scottish Government for having the imagination to buy Prestwick Airport and save thousands of highly-paid jobs for £1.

John Ewing, Ayr.

We need a rethink on education

AS we continue to navigate the complexities of our educational landscape, it is essential to consider the profound words of Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This insight underscores the crucial role education plays in shaping Scotland's future.

In recent years, we have witnessed a growing divide in educational outcomes, and it is imperative that we pursue reforms that empower all our children, regardless of their background. This includes ensuring that schools are adequately resourced and that teachers are supported in delivering high-quality education.

Furthermore, we must place a renewed focus on vocational training and apprenticeships, providing our young people with the tools they need to succeed in an evolving job market. By embracing a more diverse approach to education, we can foster talent and innovation that will drive Scotland's economy forward.

Let us seize the opportunity to create an educational system that genuinely reflects the needs and aspirations of our society, setting a strong foundation for the leaders of tomorrow.

Alastair Majury, Dunblane.

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Glasgow's own methanol tragedy

READING your report headed “Parents tell of heartbreak over methanol poison victim” (The Herald, November 23) may have caused older readers to recall events of New Year 1949 when 10 Glasgow residents died from methanol poisoning between January 2 and 4, 1949. The date may well provide some clue as to why this happened.

It was indeed a Hogmanay party that had such dire consequences. All who died were neighbours, living in Blackhall and Townhead, who had consumed methanol (or CH3OH) used in industrial processes, taken illegally from Strathclyde Chemical Works.

The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI), the public inquiry into these deaths, was instructed as a discretionary inquiry by the Lord Advocate given the serious public concern over the incidence of such deaths. It took place, before the Sheriff -Substitute, Lanarkshire, James Wellwood Johnstone, with speed, concluding only one month later on February 7, 1949.

The jury’s verdict (as FAIs were held with juries) held that those who died had “partaken on the assumption that it was an ordinary intoxicating beverage of a quantity of liquor which was in fact a concoction containing [methanol] used for industrial purposes and deaths resulted …. from [such] alcohol poisoning.” It concluded that the methanol in question had been stolen during the New Year holidays from the premises of Strathclyde Chemical Works by an unnamed employee. It had been fatally mixed with tea, lemonade, and other drinks.

Understanding the background to the Glasgow party is important. These deaths occurred at a time of rationing (though alcohol was not rationed) following the end of the Second World War. As alcohol may still have been in short supply and expensive, following increased production costs, coming up to the usual festivities, this may have contributed to the theft. Public ignorance of the effects of methanol was no doubt also a contributory factor.

Methanol is commonly found in antifreeze. It is when methanol is added to alcohol that it can metabolise, causing death. As with Simone White’s death in Laos, it is consumption of the alcohol which is crucial, not the quantity. Seventy years on, tragically, lack of awareness of its use and effects continue with these tragic deaths, just as in Glasgow, when out enjoying and celebrating together.

Gillian Mawdsley, Glasgow.

A shortage of facts

FRASER Sutherland, CEO of the Humanist Society Scotland, (Letters, November 22) raises an objection to Dr Ramona Coelho because she is "a known religious opponent of assisted dying". He criticises her "anecdotes" but he produced statements unsupported by facts. Mr Sutherland is a known opponent of religion, so why should we pay any more attention to him?

Everyone says there are robust safeguards but these depend on adequate numbers of medics, nurses and pharmacists willing to administer the assisted dying regulations. We can hope we will have control of how we die and not suffer dying. We will still suffer watching people die or dying ourselves. I worry that motivation of all doctors to prevent suicide and cancer deaths will be weakened and patients will trust doctors much less. Doctors, first do no harm. Mr Sutherland, do furnish facts.

Alastair Rigg, Lockerbie.

The Glen Rosa on the Clyde (Image: PA)

The joy of laughter

GEOFF Moore (Letters, November 23) hit the nail on the head as did the headline, "Laughter the best medicine".

A few weeks ago my wife and I accompanied our daughter, grandson and dog on a walk in a nearby park. Some fallen leaves were kicked up towards the dog and she reacted by jumping up and down and generally being silly. Our grandson of 10 months absolutely creased himself and gave out numerous belly laughs. I caught the event on my mobile phone on a video and we have watched, and shared, his laughter many times since.

I hadn’t realised it until that moment but you cannot teach a 10-month old child to laugh. He displayed his emotions instinctively, brought great joy to three adults immediately and a number of others since. We have much to learn from our juniors.

Willie Towers, Alford.

• GEOFF Moore rightly says "bring comedy back". As this wish is unlikely to be fulfilled in the context of television, I suggest that Mr Moore should turn to the ramblings and writings of your excellent golf correspondent, Nick Rodger.

David Miller, Milngavie.