I DON'T always agree with Iain AD Mann, but his letter today (December 23) regarding the Kinloss air rescue unit was spot on.

Does London not realise that the geography and climate of the north of Scotland is radically different from most of the rest of the UK and different solutions are required? Kinloss is on the doorstep of some the most demanding environments in Europe and you simply cannot put an economic value on that local knowledge. It will take a tragedy for the impact of this folly to be fully appreciated.

Mr Mann, understandably given his nationalist leanings, thinks it may be punishment for the way Scots have voted for the last decade. I don't think it is as subtle as that; it is just pure and simple ignorance. A large number of our fellow citizens would be astonished to see the remoteness of much of Scotland's landscape. Our parliamentarians should know better, they do represent the whole country after all.

Scandal? I'd go further, it is a national disgrace and whoever made this decision should hang their heads in shame.

Willie Towers,

Victoria Road,

Alford.