I FEAR that the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland's laudable exhortation for everyone to come together in a spirit of reconciliation may already be about to founder in troubled waters ("Solemn vow marks intent to co-oper­ate", The Herald, September 22).

The First Minister in his concession speech talked about "holding Westminster's feet to the fire"; and since then, with the strident voices of Tory MPs challenging the Prime Minister's "vow" it is very clear that Lord Smith of Kelvin faces a signifi­cant challenge to achieve the cross-party consensus necessary to have the legislation to implement enhanced devolution ready by the end of January, 2015. There is further confus­ion regarding the long-running West Lothian question with arguments about whether Scottish MPs should be prevented from voting on matters affecting England.

If the enhanced powers for the Scottish Parliament are not delivered on time, the new First Minister of Scotland will cry foul and challenge the validity of the No outcome of the referendum. Such an outcry, which would almost certainly command overwhelming public support, could well precipitate a re-run of the referendum and I am in no doubt that, helped by my vote and thousands of others, Yes would win.

Ronald J Sandford,

1 Scott Garden, Kingsbarns.

I ASSUME that the readings at the service of reconciliation at St Giles did not include Ezekiel 37 verse 22: "And I will make them one nation ... they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms."

David SW Williamson,

49 Pinnaclehill Park, Kelso.