The appointment of Ruth Davidson as the new leader of the Scottish Conservative party seems to me an unwise move ("'A unique opportunity for us to rebuild the party'", The Herald, November 5).

Certainly she has a vibrant rhetoric that has the potential to rally any company of ailing devotees, but ambitious rhetoric without the wisdom that comes with age and experience is just thin oxygen at a high altitude.

I am also interested in who her particular endorsers are; MSP John Lamont, Deputy Presiding Officer John Scott, MP David Mundell, MEP Struan Stevenson, Lord Forsyth and Lord Strathclyde. Her stark lack of credentials must point to these endorsers having hidden agendas in true political fashion.

Should a 32-year-old who has only been a party member for two years and an elected MSP for a mere seven months be put in charge of a party whose UK brothers are in government? It’s beggar’s belief that such a person could even be considered for such a position. At so young an age she can only ever be yet another career politician with over ambition and too much self-confidence. I believe it is too much too soon for one so young, and total folly for any political party to appoint someone so inexperienced as its leader.

J McAlpine,

Inveruglas,

Arrochar.

For better or for worse, the Scottish Tories have chosen Ruth Davidson as their new leader.

Presumably the preservation of the marriage with the UK party rather than divorce was viewed as the best option.

It remains to be seen whether Ms Davidson will take the party on a journey into the wide blue yonder or else further into the political wilderness.

Some people will still take the view that they are the same old Tories, albeit with a youthful facade.

She faces a daunting task to win over hearts and minds with the outcome uncertain. Or is it?

Bob MacDougall,

Oxhill,

Kippen.