ON the plans for the new commercial atrium to replace the popular steps is written a giant BUCHANAN: but which Buchanan is being remembered?

("Lally saddened by plans to demolish steps to his palais", The Herald, March3).

Some will declare Buchanan Street is named after Andrew Buchanan (1725-1783) the Virginia merchant and slave-master. After a,ll he owned a substantial property on what is now the eponymous street.

Others (perhaps not wanting the great street to be associated with the venal trade) claim that it is named after his uncle, Provost Andrew Buchanan (1690-1759) a partner in the King's Street sugar boiling-house, founder of the Ship Bank and Provost of Glasgow in 1740.

Which Buchanan is being "honoured" with more shops: tobacco lord or provost? Should Labour-controlled Glasgow City Council persist in the honouring of slave- produced wealth?

TM Cross,

18 Needle Green, Carluke.