Letter: Class palimpsest

Your leader, "Monstrous carbuncles of Auld Reekie", (19 May) exemplifies The Scotsman's ill-informed approach to Edinburgh's historic architecture. The author's failure to appreciate the fine qualities of both the BHS shop in Princes Street and New Club buildings would suggest that they have never actually stood and looked at them, just parroted preconceptions.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) was founded to try and prevent the total destruction of George Square and while we still regret its partial loss we also supported Historic Scotland's listing of the excellent architecture by Sir Basil Spence, Sir Robert Matthew and their colleagues.

Frequently, this paper paints amenity bodies such as the AHSS as an impediment to good quality development when in actual fact it is opinion pieces such as this that perpetuate the banal architecture that may not frighten the horses but nor does it add value to Edinburgh's fine architectural palimpsest.

Euan Leitch

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland

Barony Street

Edinburgh

You highlight the A-listed status of Basil Spence's crematorium at Mortonhall (19 May). While the building may be pleasing, the experience of mourners attending a service there can be daunting, from the miserable waiting room with its shabby toilet facilities, to the perilous walk down stone steps in often chilly or wet weather to arrive at the doorway to the main chapel.

Modern crematoria, for example in Lanarkshire or Fife, ensure that entrance from the waiting room is sheltered.

At the end of the service mourners leave the chapel by a different doorway and the often prolonged shaking hands with the bereaved takes place in a separate, covered area. In this way mourners for the next funeral can be seated in the chapel in good time and do not have to wait outside in inclement weather before they can gain entrance.

Often large proportions of mourners are elderly and thought should be given to making their attendance less hazardous.

Robert E Stewart

Merchiston Park

Edinburgh