Letters: Capital can rise above the setbacks for a glory year

In spite of the continuing problems and delays with the trams project, amongst other things, 2011 could yet prove to be one of Edinburgh's most memorable and glorious of recent times.

The much anticipated and well publicised grand re-opening of The National Museum of Scotland was needless to say a real crowd-puller and pleaser and early indications would suggest that this fabulous building and magnificent museum will no doubt prove to be just as popular and charming as it has ever been.

The Royal Wedding was also a popular spectacle and it wasn't just the bride who looked radiant in the fine summer sunshine, since the location in which the marriage took place gave a fine impression of Edinburgh's charming, historical and magical appeal.

Now perhaps with a bumper Festival/Fringe to look forward to, especially with the new Tattoo stands ready for business, it is not hard to see why the city still remains a very popular visitor destination.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Farm visit ruined by a tiny terror

THE other day I took my grandson to Gorgie Farm, where he normally has a whale of a time. However, thanks to a little terror we had to cut our visit short.

This little person was poking the other kids in the eye and face with a long stick . . . his mother was sitting with her back to the 'play' and when she was pulled up about her son's behaviour just shrugged and said he was only "being a boy and if I felt so strongly about it, I was to give him a row". Hello, you are the parent not me!

It's this sort of namby-pamby non-parenting that's got this world in the mess it's in today. Kids need some sort of guidance as to what is and isn't acceptable behaviour and it shouldn't have to come from strangers.

J Ellis, Wester Drylaw Row, Edinburgh

Royals flashed past at wedding

WITH regard to the wedding of Zara Philips and Mike Tindall, I would like to express my disappointment.

Although I had an excellent vantage point, I was unable to see any of the wedding party, due to the speed at which the cars left the palace en route to the church.

I found this disregard for the people of Edinburgh and the many visitors, many of whom had waited for hours in very hot weather, most upsetting.

On the other hand, the police officers on duty at the royal wedding and the recent forces events were professional, friendly and had a sense of humour.

They are a credit to the chief constable.

Maureen Stewart, EdinburghNHS committed to new Sick Kids

I WANT to clarify the position in relation to the proposed building of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences as reported in your paper over the past few weeks.

Your readers should be in no doubt whatsoever that NHS Lothian is 100 per cent committed to delivering this world class facility.

We have been working tirelessly around the clock to ensure that it is built and we will do everything in our power to make that happen.

We absolutely agree with Margo MacDonald that Edinburgh and the east of Scotland cannot afford to lose this facility and can assure her that we have been round the table with the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and Consort for some time making sure that does not happen.

We have had a series of meetings with Consort and expect the land swap to go ahead within the next few weeks.

As far as we are concerned the new hospital and DCN will go ahead, albeit with a delay due to the need to redesign following the good news it will now be a joint provision with DCN.

You can rest assured that we will be holding Consort to account over this and working with them to deliver a centre of excellence that Scotland can be proud of.

Jackie Sansbury, chief operating officer, NHS Lothian