Literary capital

I am delighted by the plans to transform the Netherbow area of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh into what would be Scotland’s first official literary quarter (your report, 9 April).

Home to a wealth of literary and culture organisations, the Royal Mile has a rich and distinguished literary history that absolutely should be something to which we look to showcase and share with visitors to the city.

The creation of a literature quarter would not only raise the profile of Edinburgh as the Unesco City of Literature, but will also help to highlight some of the outstanding work and projects carried out the likes of Scottish Book Trust, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and, of course, the Saltire Society.

We are pleased to be partners in this exciting new venture and, having recently launched our 2015 Saltire Literary Awards, know that Scottish literature is thriving.

Projects such as this would enrich this landscape, helping us to celebrate Scottish authors and publishers past and present, giving them the profile and recognition that they 
deserve.

Jim Tough

The Saltire Society

High Street

Edinburgh