Letters: No ego-trips on display in this clever, classic design

He says "these plans . . . have nothing to say or contribute to a 21st century Edinburgh", but the area concerned is not 21st century Edinburgh but adjoining medieval Edinburgh and must surely blend with that.

When Mountgrange's plans for Caltongate did not come to be, I heaved a sigh of relief!

Surely there must now be the possibility of a design which would fit in with the medieval part of our Old Town and not stick out like a sore thumb (like the Scottish Parliament).

When people visit an old city anywhere in the world, their priority is always to see the older, historic parts with their beautiful/quirky architecture, "unspoilt" by blatantly modern buildings adjoining.

The Evening News' picture of Anta's design immediately caught my attention and I thought how attractive and suitable it would be for the Caltongate area. The arched arcades and tall narrow buildings are so reminiscent of medieval Edinburgh's closes and high, narrow buildings.

I think this is clever, classic design which is designed to be appropriate for its situation and therefore has Mr Borthwick's requirement of "integrity". It is not an ego trip for the architects. I really like it.

Margaret Adams, Edinburgh

Council's travel cost demand hypocritical

I HAVE received a letter from the City of Edinburgh Council informing me that my "children" no longer qualify for home to school transport.

I live in Baberton Mains and my daughter attends Currie High School. My husband is at present unemployed – his first experience of unemployment in 37 years – and I am off sick at the moment due to an accident at work.

My husband and I made an application to the council at the beginning of November for council tax benefit. We have been made to jump through hoops and to date have received no assistance whatsoever from the council – and now this letter informs us we have to pay travel costs for our daughter to get to and from school (our catchment school!).

When you read in the Evening News that councillors are running around Edinburgh daily in taxis at our expense – Steve Cardownie regularly taking taxis to work in the mornings "because he is running late" – it makes my blood boil.

Shirley Sinclair, Baberton Mains View, Edinburgh

Boycott Thatcher with Braveheart

HAVING read recently that it is possible that when Margaret Thatcher dies, it is intended to give her a state funeral, can I request that when the English are watching the TV coverage, and gloating about her achievements, we Scots can watch Braveheart.

This will remind us of the damage she and her henchmen from south of the Border caused up here . . . what with pit closures and unemployment in industry, coupled with the unworkable poll tax, it was an equal to the Highland clearances in a different era.

James Balfour, Northfield Farm Avenue, Edinburgh

Gray's credentials don't pass muster

I DISAGREE with your view that Iain Gray is a credible future First Minister (News, 25 March). During the recent controversy surrounding Anne Moffat MP in East Lothian, Mr Gray refused to take sides in the dispute. This hardly suggests the actions of a leader.

His performances at First Minister's Questions are less than impressive, which is perhaps why some of his more talented MSPs are seeking a move to West- minster.

Alex Salmond may come across as arrogant but there is no doubting his abilities as a politician. If Iain Gray really were to become First Minister, my first thought would be where's my passport?

Sophie L Anderson, Marchmont Road, Edinburgh

Car firms carry can

READING recently about Sir Jackie Stewart being accused in certain quarters of losing control of a 528,000 Pagani Zonda S (top speed 220mph) – an accusation he has angrily refuted – an issue crops up in my mind.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but should the makers of such cars that go beyond the legal speed limit of the particular country in which they operate, not be prosecuted for producing them in the first place for general public road use?

William Burns, Pennywell Road, Edinburgh