Artistic talent

SOPHIE Anderson (Letters 15 February) asks if she has crossed the "boundary of political correctness" in questioning why the leaders of our National Theatre are mostly from south of the Border. She is not alone in considering this, and it is brave and germane to raise it. Truthfully, theatre and Scotland have ever been less intertwined than is the case in England or Ireland.

The ramifications of the basic question, however, go beyond the thespian, and affect all areas of our lives: social, cultural and political. The same query can be raised fairly with other institutions, both public and private: Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, universities and colleges, the Game Conservancy Trust, the Ramblers' Association and so on.

The question is not, we must hope, the undoubted ability, ambition and technical proficiency of these people but that they are even considered for jobs which surely require a solid grounding in the history, culture and, dare I say, the mores of Scotland.

The vision of Britain which they bring is that of John Major's village green: old dears cycling to evensong, the thump of leather on willow and warm beer. In truth, Scots relate to none of these, although understanding their real value and importance for the English. Is the problem that of incompetent and unambitious Scots or that the "leading lights" continue to appoint their own?

G SQUIRE

Sandyknowes

Kelso, Roxburghshire