Letter: Screen contrasts

YOUR columnist Jenny Hjul (Perspective, 20 January) was spot-on when she queried the cost of BBC Scotland sending its sports reporter Kheredine Idessane all the way to Australia to cover the achievements of Andy Murray in the tennis.

It puzzles me, particularly at a time when money is supposed to be tight, that BBC Scotland spends licence payers' money in such a cavalier fashion.

A few Sundays ago, the BBC broadcast Songs of Praise from Arundel Cathedral in West Sussex, presented by BBC Scotland newsreader Sally Magnusson. What was wrong with someone equally competent and more local - eg, Diane Louise Jordan - doing this? I think we should be told.

Gordon Dean

Belgrave Road

Edinburgh

CONGRATULATIONS to the BBC on the new Burns' website launched today, with its fine performances by an interesting mix of celebrities.

Paisley-born singer Paolo Nutini's meaningful rendition of A Man's A Man for A' That was particularly impressive; uplifting, rousing, patriotic, uncontroversial towards our neighbours, and, through the words of our national bard, providing a perfect mix of a forward-thinking, all-embracing Scotland.

Surely a contender to replace the current unofficial national anthem, O Flower of Scotland?

June McGregor

Paxton

Berwickshire