AT a time when associations such as the EU and even the UK are out of favour, it's worth noting that Nato is 70 years old. In 1949 the US, Canada, Iceland, the UK and most of Western Continental Europe bound themselves together in a defence pact.

The backdrop was the aggressive, expansionist policy of Stalin's USSR. It had reduced many nations of Eastern Europe to vassal states and its huge military power could only be checked by the West standing together. Nato has grown to include 29 nations.

The Soviet response – the Warsaw Pact – created a "Nuclear Peace" lasting until the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. As Edmund Burke wrote: "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in the struggle."

Rev Dr John Cameron,

10 Howard Place, St Andrews.

LGBT equality still some way off

YOU report today that there are now 37 openly LGBT mayors in the US, and that is a development that will be widely welcomed ("‘Sea change’ brings number of LGBT mayors to 37", The Herald, April 5). A similar sea change has happened in Scotland. We now have 10 openly LGB MSPs (including two who are openly bisexual). That is the highest proportion of any national parliament. A further 10 of our 59 MPs are openly LGB, and two of our 6 MEPs.

However, it has to be noted that all of those parliament members are LGB, not LGBT. Scotland has never had an openly trans MP, MSP or MEP, and has only one openly trans local councillor. Trans peo-ple still face high levels of discrimination. Their very identity is threatened by those who refuse to ac-cept they exist, and claim that everyone must be the sex they were thought to be from their body shape at birth. Scotland still has a way to go before equality for all LGBT people becomes a reality.

Tim Hopkins,

Director, Equality Network,

30 Bernard Street, Edinburgh.

Those bovine boulevards

I NOTE the concern of some residents that Highland cattle are about to freely roam the streets of sce-nic Plockton after the Plockton Grazings Committee have rejected calls to undertake an official as-sessment on Health and Safety grounds ("Health fears grow as crofters to return grazing cattle to vil-lage’s streets", The Herald, April 5).

On the plus side I foresee “Why did the coo cross the road” signs as another visitor attraction which will upstage the tired old chicken riddle.

R Russell Smith,

96 Milton Road, Kilbirnie.

Thank you for the message

I WOULD like to say thank you very much for being a national newspaper which continues to contain a verse of scripture within the family announcement columns of your newspaper. I read the verse every day and get a spiritual uplift from it.

Irene Munro,

1Wyvis Crescent,

Conon Bridge.