Holyrood sheep

The recent gorse fire in Holyrood Park (your report, 28 July) was caused by preventing sheep from grazing the park. Sheep nip off the growing points of trees and bushes so only grass persists.

This keeps the landscape open and reduces wildfire risk. The fire is advance warning of what could happen on many hills in Scotland due to the removal of around a million sheep - in this case due to unprofitability and an ageing workforce.

People like access to the hills and sheep grazing makes this easier and more enjoyable.

Sheep prices have recently risen but hill farmers need support now to maintain open landscapes with low fire risk, and for dipping their sheep to control ticks causing Lyme disease.

Once the vegetation gets bushy it is too late to control it with sheep.

JOHN VIPOND

Kirkland Street

Peebles