I wholeheartedly agree with David Crossley's comments regarding the west coast train line (Letters, May 26).

When I made this journey a few years ago the coach windows were so filthy that passengers could hardly see the spectacular scenery, there was no information on the train to say what was being observed (although the train was full of visitors) and the lavatories were simply awful. On reaching Mallaig, it was raining and decidedly chilly but there was nowhere to go apart from a fish and chip shop and one cafe.

I was in Mallaig recently, another extremely cold day, but apart from a few more eating places, it is not at all a welcoming destination.

Scotland really does have to improve standards, and I don't mean to turn it into a theme park, if we want to encourage visitors and to get them to return.

At present for me it is a case of once bitten, twice shy.

Isobel Ives,

Arnottsfield, Comrie.

I was interested in your article about Jimmy Savile's cottage at Glen Coe as, long ago, it was a place of respite for me ("Savile's Glen Coe home to become base for climbers", The Herald, May 19).

After leaving school in 1944, I made a cycling tour around Scotland, which included travelling from Crianlarich through Glen Coe to Fort William.

I was fortunate to have excellent weather, particularly when cycling up Black Mount and through Glen Coe, but I was tired and thirsty. Stopping at Allt na Reigh cottage, which in those days was beside the road, I knocked the door and asked if I could have a glass of milk. One arrived and no payment was requested. The new Allt na Reigh can therefore be regarded as carrying on a custom.

RC Callander,

6 Learmonth Gardens, Edinburgh.