I NOTE yet another report, this time from the Fraser of Allander Institute, that declares that infrastructure spend should be concentrated on Scotland's cities ("Johnson’s Irish Sea tunnel ‘would not deliver economic boost’", The Herald, March 10). What such reports never highlight is there are no cities south of the M8, nor the closure of emergency centres to the south of the M8, nor there being no national parks south of the M8 as the Finance Secretary cannot find £5 million to set up such a project. Also missed are no infrastructure schemes south of the M8 such as the Queensferry Bridge, the Clackmannan Bridge, the dualling of the A9, the Aberdeen by-pass or the A96.

Is it not time to devolve powers from Holyrood to assemblies for the rural north and rural south which have the advantage that there would be "family-friendly units" serving the people outside the Central Belt?

Ian Moir, Castle Douglas.

A dim view

THE letter from David Lewis (March 11) struck a chord with me.

I too am baffled by the average driver's inability to know when they have lights on in their car. Part of the problem, I believe, is most instrument panels light up when the ignition is turned on so they assume lights are on, but that does not excuse those who are oblivious to the fact that they are driving with no lights on or in newer cars some with front “daytime running lights” on but no rear lights.

Last Friday night I followed a car on the M8 that was blissfully trundling along with no lights on despite numerous cars flashing their lights to try and get her the driver's attention.

And don’t start me on when is correct time to us fog lights – the clue it is in the name.

Dougie Jardine, Bishopbriggs.

The power of reading

READING the childhood memories of R Russell Smith (Letters, March 7) and Alan Fitzpatrick (Letters, March 10) sparked a poignant reminiscence of my own.

As a very young child, I recall hearing on the old "steam" radio a song recorded by Vera Lynn called "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot". Oh, how I was torn apart by the lyrics of that song and the vivid imagery conjured up in my young imagination. Even now, some 60-odd years later, it has the power to cause a moistness around the eyes. I urge your readers to look it up ... if they're brave enough.

Perhaps adults tend to forget the power of reading and sounds on children, and their ability to form long-lasting memories. All happy days – I think.

Alan Templeton, Ayr.

Curling antiquity

RE your recent article about the recently-found number of old curling stones and subsequent sale (“Brush with the past: Old stones set to sweep up a cool £7,000 at auction”, The Herald, March 7), you mention that partick curling club is one of the oldest clubs in the UK if not Europe. I have a members club badge with an engraving of McCaigs Tower in the centre and round the edge “Oban Curling Club 1842”.

Moira Lang, Oban.

After a fashion

A WONDERFUL exhibition of juxtaposition journalism on Page 3 of your Wednesday edition (The Herald, March 11). The usual entertaining nonsense from the Glasgow School of Art ("Play time as art students are all the fashion" and, up in the top right corner of the page – Aye Write ("Tribute to Gray as Aye Write line-up is revealed".

Donald Macaskill, Glasgow G12.