ALEX Salmond and I have one thing in common.

We were both taught history by the late Professor Geoffrey Barrow (Herald Obituary, December 20). Mr Salmond was tutored by him at St Andrews University where Prof Barrow was professor of Scottish History. I heard him years earlier in the 1950s in crowded lecture rooms when he was a lecturer at University College, London.

He was a brilliant historian and very pro-Scottish. I was surprised to read in his obituary that he was born in England. So was I and like Professor Barrow, I have been happy to spend many years living amongst Scottish people.

Bob Holman,

76, Balgonie Road,

Glasgow.