Letters: Chance to wave goodbye to isle’s high-tide troubles

Yet again I see the issue of Cramond Island and people getting into difficulty whilst visiting it has come up (News, April 2).

I believe the easiest way to solve this issue is for Edinburgh City Council to be a bit forward-thinking for once. There is the potential to make money from this island by having safe and supervised access.

A small fee should be levied to cross the causeway and a small boat service introduced for times when the causeway is under water. You could also charge fees for camping and have a landing stage and fees for small private craft wishing to visit the island.

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Perhaps there is also scope for a visitor centre such as on Inchcolm where visitors can get a cup of tea, refreshments and gifts and for the island to have a full-time custodian who could watch over the island and report any concerns to the authorities on the shore.

If the above was introduced you would always be able to account for everyone visiting the island.

I would be happy to pay reasonable charges if I knew my visit was going to be safer and an option of a boat was available if I became stranded or wished to remain for longer on the island.

The lifeboat should only be used as a last resort and unless someone faces immediate danger, I believe they should be left until the next low tide. I estimate the maximum amount of time that someone is liable to be stuck is somewhere between six to eight hours.

Alastair Macintyre, Webster Place, Rosyth

Put off camping by island idiots

As a lover of the outdoors, I have often wanted to camp on Cramond Island (well supplied and well aware of possible 
difficulties).

However, tales of ignorant adventurers have put myself and others off a well-loved asset to our lovely city. I say fine them unless a valid excuse is given. Meanwhile, I would feel ashamed to visit and be counted amongst the “eejit” squad!

David Blair, Edinburgh

Don’t ask the SNP for financial help

Scotland’s new single police and fire services are to be hit with a VAT bombshell of £25 million a year.

The Scottish Government had hoped to convince the UK Government that this new body should not be liable for VAT.

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Under the old system, police and fire services were treated as local authorities and were exempt from VAT.

Treasury officials warned Scottish ministers in August 2011 that the new single police force would have to pay VAT unless they changed the way it was funded.

The Scottish Government ignored this advice. Now because of the SNP’s incompetence there will need to be 
£25 million taken away from other departments’ budgets.

If this is the type of financial expertise the SNP have then heaven help us if Scotland votes for independence.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow

Divine help is not needed, thanks

We can know true forgiveness, renewal and the power to live a changed life (Jennifer Muir, Letters, April 1) without divine help, which in any case probably isn’t available, there being no God anyway.

Human beings are capable of enormous self-help once they rid themselves of superstitions such as Christianity.

Steuart Campbell, Dovecot Loan, Edinburgh

‘Economic race’ leads to disaster

EVERY indicator shows that sources of gas, oil, coal, fresh water and the growing of food, need international 
co-operation to secure them for the future.

This co-operation is urgently needed now – no one country can solve these problems, particularly the destruction of the world’s forests, widespread flooding and climate change.

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Despite all of this, David Cameron continually talks about competing with other nations in an “economic race”.

We know from bitter experience unrestricted competition results in fewer people employed, with industries closing in our country and 
others.

The economic race may benefit investors but in the long run very little good happens to most people. Without co-operation the problems will become more acute.

Economic racing will pitch nation against nation with disastrous results for ordinary people.

A Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens, Edinburgh