It was interesting to read Harry Reid's suggestion that Scotland should find a new capital city ("Find a new capital city.
Edinburgh has hit buffers", The Herald, January 18). His anti-Edinburgh bias came over well, as did his conclusion that he is fond of the city but no longer proud of it.
His suggestion that the glory days of Edinburgh were when it led the Scottish Enlightenment over 200 years ago is unfounded.
Edinburgh is now at the forefront of the second Scottish Enlightenment.
The Edinburgh Festival and the Royal Military Tattoo attract millions of visitors every year. Edinburgh is now a global city, which boasts 17 festivals. It is a city which prides itself on its excellent interfaith relationships.
It is at the forefront of bio-medical research, and its four universities, along with the Botanic Gardens, are acknowledged to be the best in the world.
Mr Reid mentions the trams, as if no other city in the world had problems with major construction projects. The trams will be delivered and the chief executive of the council, Sue Bruce, and the leader of the council, Jenny Dawe, have shown great administrative and political strength in ensuring that the project will be delivered.
Edinburgh has won, or been commended in, several best city awards. I have not mentioned the newly refurbished Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street or the splendid Scottish Portrait Museum in Queen Street. Then again, it is impossible to mention all the awards and all the places to visit, including Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament.
A capital city becomes a capital not because a journalist decreed it so but because, through the centuries, it has been recognised by the people as a place of security, safety, authority and openness. Edinburgh is that place in Scotland.
I am reminded of these lines from Robert Fergusson's poem Auld Reekie: "Now Stairhead Critics, senseless Fools, Censure their aim, and Pride their Rules, In luckenbooths, wi glouring Eye, Their Neighbours sma'est Faults descry".
Perhaps Mr Reid's fondness will turn to love and in the near future he will see Edinburgh through new and exciting eyes.
George Grubb,
Lord Provost, City of Edinburgh, City Chambers, Edinburgh.
Ken Nicholson's amusing letter regarding Edinburgh reminded me of the old joke: in Glasgow they pull down the ancient tenements, in Edinburgh they open them to the public and charge five bob admission (The Herald, January 18).
With the greatest respect to Glasgow, when it comes to capital cities I am on the side of the Athens of the north. The saga of the trams has been a blight on the city, cosmetically and in every other way, but Edinburgh rises above it all and stands proud like the great city she is.
There is something indefinable and timeless about Edinburgh which sets it apart from every other city, and it is not just the lovely sweep of the Princes Street Gardens, nor the castle brooding on its rock.
The tourist traps don't spoil the medieval atmosphere of mystery and intrigue which oozes from the Royal Mile. The graciousness of the New Town, the vibrancy of Leith, the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of the Queen, all contribute to the reasons why Edinburgh is indeed a capital city, and why it should remain as the capital city of Scotland.
Ruth Marr,
99 Grampian Road,
Stirling.
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