Letters: Haven of tranquillity is no place to create a bike trail

Bikes have often demonstrated that by no stretch of the imagination do they belong in a nature reserve, given cycle runs scoring hillsides, and cyclists creating speed bumps, grooves and curves to give them the thrills for which they are looking.

A nature reserve is a place reserved for nature, not man-made machines - a place where toddlers can walk safely, dogs are not threatened and badgers not terrified to have their evening feeds.

Likewise, not only walkers and dogs enjoy the fields - many birds feed on the grass.

So please, no bike trails on Corstorphine Hill nature reserve.

L Smith, Drum Brae Park, Edinburgh

'Union Dividend' a high price to pay

TAVISH Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, talks about taking up to 93 million from the funds required for over-60s free bus travel.

As a fit person of 70, I would find paying for bus fares inconvenient but, personally, I can afford to do so.

But how would such a proposal affect other elderly folk?

And might it not simply cause confusion and extra administrative expense to claw back some of that money needed to meet student education costs?

For example, I suspect that, as the SNP Government currently brings NHS prescription charges to an end for the relatively small proportion of patients who still pay them, the added cost to the taxpayer will be balanced to a large extent by the savings made from abolishing the prescription payments system.

The Government has, I understand, extended free bus travel to injured ex-service personnel and has no intention of restricting the scheme in any way. Had we in Scotland, like independent Norway, been in control of our oil and gas revenues since the 1970s, we would have built up a fund to provide a safety net in times of financial stress.

Instead, we have reaped the benefit of the "Union Dividend" - being part of a bankrupt United Kingdom.

Robin MacCormick, Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh

Regulations keep park beautiful

WITH reference to the letter "Holyrood Park taxi ban not fare on the paying public" (News, March 4), I would like to reassure the public that taxis which can accommodate up to seven passengers are allowed to drive through Holyrood Park.

However, taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers in the park or have their for hire sign switched on unless it is a pre-booked fare from a building or site within the park.

As a Royal Park, Holyrood is protected under the framework of the Parks Regulations Acts.

These regulations stipulate speed limits and prohibit commercial vehicle access through the Park.Historic Scotland, Lothian and Borders Police and Edinburgh City Council are enforcing these traffic regulations in order to preserve an area of natural beauty that can be enjoyed by people across the city, as well as easing traffic congestion for people who live in the vicinity of the park.

Martin Gray, Royal Park visitor services manager, Holyrood Education Centre, Queen's Drive, Edinburgh

Don't believe the hype about film

AM I the only one fed up with all the hype created by the Oscar success of The King's Speech?

If a royal wedding were not in the offing, I doubt very much whether it would have won one award never mind four.

Both Black Swan and The Social Network are far better movies, and The King's Speech is historically inaccurate to the point where it bears little relation to the truth.

And Colin Firth, who portrayed King George VI, failed to notice the difference between a stammer and a stutter. So much for "Best Actor".

Karen Burchill, Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh