I NOTE your article regarding the demise of the high street ("Public bodies attacked for deserting the high street", The Herald, January 22). My wife and I were in Aberfoyle and Callander last weekend and both locations are well on the way to being ghost towns. There are numerous "To Let/For Sale" signs, with dilapidated properties, including hotels.

Notwithstanding that we are in a recession, I have been advised that, whereas it used to be the case that tour coaches could park in the local authority car parks for free, said local authority has now imposed parking charges. In this regard, it is obvious that the coaches and tourists no longer visit the venues. How stupid and short-sighted.

Derek B Petrie,

15 Cairns Drive, Milngavie.