Sir – We are writing to you in response to the article "Councillor slams spending on Gaelic education" which you featured on the front page of your paper last week.

Sir – I am writing in complete astonishment over comments made by East Sutherland and Edderton councillor Deirdre Mackay, reported in last week's Northern Times.

Sir – I could hardly believe my eyes when I read councillor Deirdre Mackay's vitriolic attack on money being spent by Highland Council for the development of Gaelic Education.

Sir – I would like to thank our council staff for the recent effort during the bad weather. Many of the workers will not have experienced such severe weather conditions but they worked hard to keep the roads and schools open.

Sir – Just what is the liability, responsibility or policy of councils regarding the safety in icy weather of pedestrians on pavements as well as roads?

Sir – Hats off to our road gritting crews this winter for the job they have done against almost insurmountable odds.

Sir – May I use your columns to thank all the constituents at home and in businesses across Sutherland who pestered me to improve delivery and access to broadband.

Sir – I was just surfing the Highland Council website and was looking at its links to "media".

Sir - I would like to draw your readers' attention to an NHS review into the Highland Rheumatology Unit at Dingwall, which could result in cuts to the service provided..

Sir - Tain may not have 1) a local hospital, 2) a sports centre, 3) a new health centre, 4) any part of the University of The Highlands and Islands and not even an Asda store (as yet, but we are ever hopeful).

SIR - Reference your Golspie Post Office owner's letter last week and your front page article on charity status organisations operating a "Christmas Post" scheme in Golspie this month.

SIR - On behalf of Feis Chataibh I would like to put on record our sincere thanks and appreciation for the support that our fine young band of ceilidh trailers have had from the Northern Times , other local businesses and the general public. .

Sir - I have not closely followed east coast developments so I don't know the details of Graham Philips' report (NT, Nov 27) that three firms were kept out of a business park because they were "too industrial".

Sir – I would be grateful for your readers' help. I am writing a book, entitled The Lore of the Playground, scheduled for publication next year.

Sir – The Scottish Ambulance CW Patient Transport Service - as a recently resigned member, having completed 10,000 miles since 1 April, due to the derisory 25p mileage rate, which I would now be on, I am writing to wholeheartedly endorse Jamie Stone's comments in your edition of 20th inst.

Sir – In 2010, The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help (SSAFA - Forces Help) will mark 125 years of continued service to Britain's Armed Forces.

Sir – The Scottish SPCA doth protest too much, in their statement reported by the Northern Times last week ("We were victims of a 'vitriolic attack' claims SSPCA").

Sir – I often have a trip down the lovely Strath of Kildonan and visit some of my old haunts.

Sir – As parents of three children who have attended Golspie High School and having been educated there personally, we felt after reading the correspondence in last week's Northern Times regarding Golspie High School that the following relevant points are worth reiterating.

Sir – I am wondering if any of your readers ever served on board any of the light fleet carriers, HMS Bulwark, HMS Albion, or HMS Centaur?

Sir – I wonder if readers can assist in providing information and/or memorabilia (photographs would be of particular interest) for a research project into the Women's Suffrage Campaign in the Highlands, currently being undertaken by the Inverness branch of the Workers' Educational Association.

Sir – As a former teacher, the story "Golspie High head steps down" (NT, Sept 3) made my heart sink.

Sir – Ref your cover page article "Animal charity under fire over distressed dogs" (Sept 24).

Sir – With reference to your front page story last week on the failure of the SSPCA to act on evidence of neglect and cruelty to dogs.

Sir – We, a group of sixth year pipils, were disappointed to read yet another negative story about Golspie High School in last week's Northern Times.

Sir – It was interesting to be able to attend the Sutherland Summit in Lairg last week which people had worked so hard to arrange.

Sir – The story about the American golfer now boycotts Scottish whisky (NT Sept 3) is one of a few I have seen which reeks of hypocrisy and double standards, on behalf of the Americans involved.

Sir – I have learnt with great appreciation of the releasement by the Scottish government, of the Libyan Lockerbie convict, Mr Megrahi, on humanitarian grounds.

Sir – The draft Crofting Reform Bill has had a very mixed reception. Praised in some circles, in others it has been condemned as another nail in the coffin of remote crofting communities.

Sir – The Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, had his decision to free the Lockerbie bomber denigrated on TV by that has-been MSP, Jack McConnell.

Sir – The Scottish Government is attempting to reform the system of land tenure known as crofting – once described as a type of capitalism supported by a raft of socialism.

Sir – I would like to add my voice to the many who have expressed admiration for Kenny Macaskill's wise decision and for the dignified way in which he has behaved in the past week, in the face of the ridiculous things the opposition parties and the press have been saying.

Sir – Professor Jim Hunter has recently expressed his views and increasing pessimism over the dispute raging amongst crofters over the proposed Crofting Reform Bill.

Sir – Last week's front page article announced the change of ownership of the "Shop of the North" – Cunninghams of Brora after almost 100 years in the ownership of the same family.

Sir – A typical Lairg story of Doom and Gloom, the only time we make headline news – Community Café Stirs up Controversy (NT 7th August).

Sir – Roseanna Cunningham's acknowledgment, in her front-page article (NT, 24th July), that deregulation is an alternative future for crofting, is welcome news indeed.

Sir – On Saturday 11th July, after a week-long holiday to Orkney and Shetland, the Baha'i Youth and Children Group from Lewis were travelling to Inverness.

Sir – I have counted it as one of life's great privileges in having been called upon to play a leadership role in the creation of Assynt Crofters' Trust.

Sir – I refer to the reported comments by Councillor Robbie Rowantree (NT, 16th July) about the draft Crofting Reform Bill and his chairmanship of a group set up in Rogart.

Sir – Your report in last week's Northern Times about the local SNP meeting in Tongue quotes the Highlands and Islands MSP, Rob Gibson, as being in favour of the present Scottish Government's crofting consultation paper.

Sir – I refer to the recent incidents in which Lochaber Mountain Rescue team and helicopter were called out twice by walkers in Upper Glen Nevis hearing emergency whistle blowing. In both instances the whistling was later thought to come from sika deer.

Sir – With regard to the planning application reported in the Northern Times (12th June) for six private and four affordable houses in Rosehall, we note that the applicant, Bocardo SA, is c/o Balnagown Estates, Kildary.

Sir – I read with interest your article last week ("Gloomy funding forecast for rural Sutherland") and couldn't help but contrast the measured tone of Councillor Rowantree's remarks with those contained in the most recent outburst from his highly paid Lib Dem colleague and "budget leader", David Alston.

Sir – First of all, I must thank the Northern Times for the articles published in the recent and distant past on the ancestors of Canada's first and third Prime Minister, Sir John Alexander Macdonald, a leading figure in Canadian politics, on whom I specialise in studying and producing slide shows or PowerPoint presentations.

Sir – I fully back the efforts in support of our armed forces personnel around Armed Forces Day and through Help for Heroes. Like most families in this country, we have relations and friends serving today in places like Afghanistan. They need all our support.

Sir – I think we've all now got the picture regarding MPs and their general detachment from the everyday realities the rest of us face. The expenses row has acted as a catalyst to a general dam-burst of public discontent and frustration with the entire political structure which has been building for decades. Hopefully, we may see the return of genuine political debate in this country as a result.

Sir – Crofting remains part of the economy of Sutherland despite the ineffectuality of regulation presently governing it, and the Scottish Government with its Crofting Reform Bill is now attempting to drag crofting into the digital age.

Sir – Jamie Stone MSP is right to draw attention to the failure by someone, or some entity, to publicise the Boundary Commission's proposals in your paper which is read by a very large number of people in Sutherland, indeed worldwide ('Stone's blast over lack of boundary change advertising', NT last week).

Sir – Your headline in the May 22nd issue, "Draft bill points to 'bright future for crofting'" cheered me up until I read the summary article, the document itself and attended the consultation meeting at Lairg. As one shrewd crofter observed at Lairg: "There is nothing in this to create a prosperous future for crofters."

Sir – Your readers will be well aware by now of the scandal of some MSPs claiming expenses for the cost of wreaths and Remembrance Day poppies.

Sir – After publishing that article ('Gulls are a pest – don't feed them', NT 1st May) and the following letters, making all that fuss about noise and a bit of poop, I hope that you're going to publish the fact that the herring gull (big job; grey and sparkling white) has gone on the RSPB's red list, which means it's in trouble nationwide, and encourage people not to be so nasty.

Sir – Looks like a few questions arise from Alison Cameron's bombshell front page article about yet another boundary change (Boundary plans 'utter madness', NT last week).

Sir – Your front page story last week (22nd May) regarding proposed parliamentary boundary changes included lengthy protests from the entire local Liberal Democrat establishment. I really cannot understand why.

Sir – The Scottish Government has provided funds through Veterans Scotland to support an investigation into the financial situation of ex-service men and women living in Scotland.

Sir – As one who spent over five years in the former Earl's Cross Hostel, Dornoch, over half a century ago, I was happy to read your report that the elegant building appears at last to have a definite future ("Plan for Earl's Cross House flats conversion", NT last week).

Sir – I write in response to the letter from Mr John Wood of Cromarty in the Northern Times of 15th May.

Sir – The Highland Council's new development plans came under the spotlight last week, at a meeting I attended at the Spectrum Centre, Inverness.

Sir – Whilst I can't help but agree with much of what Martin Morrison says (Letters, last week, "It's not all Gordon Brown's fault") the argument that we pass back to those who "lit the fuse" and let them sort out the mess scares me rigid.

Sir – The story in the Northern Times (NT 1st May, "Gulls are a pest – don't feed them!") reminds me of the battle I had with the regional council when I was district councillor, as the seagulls were nesting on top of the flat roof of the Brora School, causing an environmental problem with the mess and smell they produced.

Sir – Our neighbour also feeds the gulls – and the crows – and like the Brora residents we suffer the consequences (NT 1st May, "Gulls are a pest – don't feed them"). Will we be able to enjoy our garden this summer? We have notified the environmental office.

Sir – What a time those rascals in Westminster are having with all the revelations about their expenses (or should we call them greedy perks).

Sir – I WAS most disappointed to read in the front page article in the Northern Times of 1st May, headed "High School told to speed up improvements," the damning report HM Inspectorate has given Golspie High School for the second time in less than a year.

Sir – DISCLAIMER: I don't vote Labour. However, I can't help wondering what we would do without Gordon Brown.

Sir – The tone of the recent articles regarding vandalism in Scourie were provocative to such an extent that we the undersigned, being residents of Scourie, take exception to the front page articles in your paper with reference to the teacher and her husband and to the Mason family.

Sir – I was one of many delegates from the North who recently attended the Scottish National Party's spring conference in Glasgow.

Sir – My husband and I have just returned from a wonderful week's holiday in Scotland.

Sir – I refer to the article in the Northern Times (10th April) regarding the experiences of the Mason family (my in-laws), the comments within it made by Scourie Community Council chairman Alistair Wood, and his letter in the following edition on 17th April.

Sir – I was pleased to see (NT 3rd April) a review of the concert by the Ness River Rhythm Kings for the Invergordon Arts Society. I don't know who your reviewer, DMW, is, but it is unfortunate that he fell somewhat short on his research.

Sir – I refer to your front page article last week about Thurso community councillor Mr Don Smith's opposition to bilingual road signs ('Gaelic's being rammed down our throats, NT 10th April).

Sir –I feel I must take grave exception to your front page article in last week's Northern Times (10th April) on the "nasty people of Scourie".

Sir – While I am delighted to learn that the long-awaited upgrade to two-lane standard of the last stretch of the A830 Fort William to Mallaig road has at last been completed, I should hope now that Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson and Hitrans chairman Charlie King will turn their attention to another popular tourist road on which upgrading is very long overdue.

Sir – I welcome calls by members of the board of Highlands and Islands Local Food Network (HILFN) for a period of reflection and review of the best structure to promote local food in future.

Sir – The references in your Old Files in the past two weeks to the apprehension of labourer George Cadger, in connection with the murder of pedlar Neil Hughes at Rosehall a century ago, were extremely interesting.

Sir – I was interested to read in your Old Files (NT 27th March) the report from 100 years ago about the murder at Rosehall.

Sir – I welcome the pressure by MSP Jamie Stone to step up the fight to save Postbus services in Sutherland.

Sir – The recent publicity over the discovery of an ancient burial cist has highlighted the need for better communication between Highland Council archaeologists and people like their own road workers, contractors, hedgers and ditchers.

Sir – If archaeological finds can be damaged at Langwell Farm when the proper procedures are being followed ('Police blamed for destroying Bronze Age burial site', NT last week), consider the potential loss when it is in the interests of the contractor not to notify such finds.

Sir – I refer to last week's article regarding Mr John Davies's complaints about changing dates for primary school cross-country (Coach: 'Top runners will suffer').

Sir – It is a sad fact of life that you can't please everyone.

Sir – Is it really true that the manager of the Thurso sorting office implemented the withdrawal of the RM136 and RM137 Tongue to Thurso Postbus service?

Sir – We read with interest your article last week (Golspie, Australia – blink and you've missed it!) about Allan and David Weir visiting Golspie in New South Wales, and would like to take this opportunity to comment a little further on its history.

Sir – During a recent stay in Raigmore Hospital for a hip replacement I found myself in Ward 3C with five other men from around the Highland area, one of whom introduced himself as Michael Hartwell. He said he had recently retired after 40 years as joiner/handyman on Cawdor Estate.

Sir – I sympathise entirely with Jennifer and Simon Allen, proprietors of the Caberfeidh in Lochinver, regarding the energy efficiency report they received on their premises (NT last week).

Sir – It was encouraging to read that Alastair Christie (Letters, 30th January) is as concerned about the Dornoch esker as I am. I can reassure him that over the winter we at Historylinks Museum have completely revised and expanded our geology display and included an illustrated section on the esker.

Sir – Each week Lottery players raise £25 million for good causes across the UK, and we are asking Northern Times readers to enter their favourite Lottery-funded projects in the National Lottery Awards 2009 – an annual search to find the UK's best Lottery projects.

Sir – I was surprised to read Caroline McMorran's front page story last week (Alarm at threat to Postbus service).

Sir – Last Friday my wife and I had to go south for a funeral the following day.

Sir – On the front page of The Northern Times last week there was an article detailing my defence of a speeding conviction at Dornoch Sheriff Court ('Factor who drove at 100mph escapes ban', NT 30th January).

Sir – As an amateur geologist, I was in interested to read your front page story of 23rd January (Fears for Ice Age ridge with go-ahead to extend quarry).

Sir – In reading Susan Brown's article in "Food for Thought" a little time ago in the NT, it brought to mind a certain Rev Iain Macleod.