Letter: St Kilda's dues

Iain Thornber (your report, 13 August), has encountered the dreadful prissy red tape that is the National Trust of Scotland.

Their bureaucratic incompetence has been exposed; but yet they pontificate about the difficulties of living on a remote island. It is entirely possible that people who wish to return to their Scottish homeland, however "remote", should be allowed, or indeed encouraged to, instead of sheltering in some urban ghetto.

Modern technology will sustain a good life on St Kilda: look at the buy-outs in Eigg and Applecross - success stories. Intelligent people store up their supplies in advance. Medical problems can be dealt with by Medivac helicopters, from coastguard or the navy.

Descendants of the people of St Kilda want to return. That wish should be honoured; otherwise we have stained our history.

ALASDAIR H. MACINNES

Granton Road

Edinburgh