Letters: St Giles' should be given a royal seal of approval

I read that Kate Middleton had her heart set on marrying in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh because she met Prince William in Scotland, because so many wedding and funerals have been held in Westminster Abbey and she doesn't just want a repeat of Diana and Charles' wedding in St Paul's.

I also think this would be an excellent idea - the aerial shots showing St Andrews to Edinburgh would be great and something different from horses and carriages going down the Mall, etc.

I also then read that it is impossible because Wills is in line to the throne, but what I don't understand is why it is constitutionally impossible when the monarchy of Scotland and England is united and the same? Why can't the wedding be in Scotland?

If Kate wants the wedding to be in Scotland, why can't the Scottish Government help?

Obviously it would be such a boost for Scotland's image, economy and tourism.

If this is what Kate really wants, I think Edinburgh would make a fabulous location for a royal wedding.

Mairi Naseer, Maldives

Government is full of hot air

AS far as I am aware, the government has not issued any statement to condemn the recently-announced price increase by British Gas.

Why hasn't the government had anything to say on blatant profiteering, when British Gas already announced huge profits after last winter.

'Ordinary' people are already in difficult financial situations through no fault of their own, yet they are being made to suffer most.

The government also claims that it wants to help more people back to work. Why then aren't there more facilities like BlindCraft, which has been under threat?

If BlindCraft was to close, those workers would be put on benefits, and no doubt at a later stage would be punished for not doing enough to find employment.

Lloyd Wilson, Bridgeside Avenue, Whitburn, West Lothian

We must pick and choose festivals

Hasn't Angus McGregor hit the nail on the head when he suggests it's time to burst the balloon on the city's parties (Interactive, November 17)?

Sure, festivals bring in much-needed new money to the local economy.

But isn't the problem that it is the public purse investing, and private enterprises that are reaping the financial dividends?

Isn't this intrinsically wrong?

With the exception of major events like the Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe, Book Festival, Film Festival, Science Festival etc, which bring the city direct benefits through first-class international promotion, shouldn't public financial support for any jamboree incapable of attracting adequate private backing and funding be withdrawn?

We don't need cheap pop concerts on our streets. Let's get the performers into venues with proper ticketing - a co-ordinated city-wide party, properly financed and sustainable.

Neither do we need throngs of people purposely crammed into a small area, and we certainly don't need the barricades to keep them there, which only serve to dress Edinburgh up as a mid-50s eastern European city in the middle of the cold war.

No doubt the question of a tourist tax will rear its head again, but wouldn't this just prove a disincentive to visit our city? And what would be the point of throwing good money gained into the bottomless pit of evermore cash-guzzling beanos?

Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Strictly not a fan of Ann's dancing

Dear Ann Widdecombe, this charade has gone on long enough. You must quit Strictly Come Dancing - enough is enough.

You have lost your credibility and your dignity - why on earth did you decide to take part in this show?

Sylvia M. De Luca, Baberton Park, Juniper Green, Edinburgh