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.

Sir – Following a meeting with the residents in Oversteps we felt that we would like to put in writing our gratitude towards the district nurses and GPs in Dornoch.

Sir – Bruce Sandison (Letters, last week) responded to my letter of the previous week in a way which was "as read on his tin", and his label reads: My Personal Vendetta Against Fish Farming.

Sir – Might I draw the attention of your correspondent David Catto (Letters, last week) to the following facts in connection with the impact that escaped farm salmon have on wild salmonid populations.

Sir – The recent decision by European politicians to support controversial proposals to change the way we approve our plant protection products will have implications for food production across the whole of Europe.

Sir – I welcomed last week's letter by Mr Jappy of Muir of Ord regarding Trident. Good question. Will prime minister Gordon Brown listen?

Sir – June 2010 will mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of 20 of the smaller railway stations between Inverness and Wick, together with the four stations on the Dornoch branch line.

Sir – In response to your front page "Fish farm slammed over latest escape" last week, I respectfully suggest that you look more closely at who is doing the "slamming".

Sir – I am writing to congratulate the householders of East and Central Sutherland who receive the GREAN recycling service on their tremendous contribution to diversion of waste from landfill during the first round of the year last week.

Sir – At this moment, Britain's Trident nuclear submarines are sitting in the depths of the North Atlantic waiting for the signal "raise fire".

Sir – Regarding the statement on page 3 (NT, 19th December) concerning the switching on of the Christmas lights on the tree at Bonar Bridge.

Sir – Your last edition described a potential project to create a large woodland park in south-east Sutherland (what a great idea), and on page 9 your article about Cameron McNeish quoted him as wishing a walking route from Lochinver to Tongue could be developed.

Sir – YOUR readers may have noticed the publicity given to the new courses in crofting which are to be offered at Sgoil Lionacleit in Benbecula.

Sir – I was pleased to read in your issue of 12th December that the Sutherland Federation of the SWRI had enjoyed hearing about my experiences as a contestant on "Countdown".

Sir – I wish to correct the impression given by your article of 28th November on European Social Fund funding for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses focusing on North Highland College that there was no other provision in Sutherland based on ESF funding.

Sir – May I draw your attention, and that of your readers, to a 25-year first.

Sir – We are fortunate in having such a fine swimming pool at Golspie, run by friendly staff, and offering a wide range of activities. However, as a community we seem to be remarkably lax when it comes to basic hygiene.

Sir – The letter from Mrs Jean Mackay to the Northern Times last week was quite timely.

Sir – The saddest sight in your edition of 14th November was the photograph re the closing of the Kinlochbervie Mission ("End of an era as KLB Mission Closes its Doors").

Sir – October 26 was the 150th anniversary of the first launching of a lifeboat in Scotland, which was in Fraserburgh.

Sir – It is with annoyance and concern I have had to write this letter regarding our Remembrance Day parade on Sunday.

Sir – The Remembrance Day service at Dornoch War Memorial on Sunday was again marred by the traffic passing through the parade.

Sir – I would like to take this opportunity to jump to the defence of Alness youths, contrary to what Mr Duncan Allan of Dornoch thinks.

Sir – "Disgusted, Tunbridge Wells" is clearly alive and well and living in Brora (Letters, last week).

Sir – The desecration and the loutish behaviour which blighted Dornoch Cathedral was, I am sure, distressing for the whole of east Sutherland, not just to the parishioners (NT last week).

Sir – The front page of the Northern Times was very sad to read last week, firstly because another young life has gone, and secondly the way the report has been written is absolutely disgusting, to my understanding.

Sir – I read with utter disbelief the comments made by Mr Duncan Allan in last week's Northern Times. Dornoch is very fortunate indeed to have such well-behaved youth.

Sir – Did you hear it last Thursday/Friday, a collective sharp intake of breath followed by the rising of blood pressure in Brora? Retired Highland councillor and former provost of Dornoch Mr Duncan Allan has once again managed to alienate an entire community.

Sir – Once again the Ullapool area, at least, has been without Vodafone and O2 reception for nearly four days. I am losing work because of this and so are others. I fight long and hard with the Vodafone "helpline" system every time the mast fails.

Sir – Having read recent articles in the Northern Times regarding access to the proposed wind farm at Gordonbush by Loch Brora, and comments attributed to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) about negotiations in relation to this route, I feel it is important to provide a point of view of one of the landowners involved.

Sir – Please keep up the good work on reporting the awful bus timetable we are being made to tolerate at the moment.

Sir – Having reached the necessary three score years I thought that I might make a small contribution towards saving our planet, and helping with the government's energy saving ambitions, by taking advantage of the bus pass scheme for my regular appointments at Raigmore and my all too frequent meetings in Inverness and beyond.

Sir – Many of your readers will remember that momentous event in Skibo Castle a few years back when one Madonna Ciccone, whom I am reliably informed is a popular musical entertainer, married one Guy Ritchie, who is well known for being some bloke in the papers.

Sir – In these troubled financial times, it is time to reflect on the fact that there were two previous meltdowns involving Labour governments, but not many know that in the last one the hinge of fate creaked ominously in the Sutherland Arms Hotel in Golspie.

Sir – Since the merger of the bus companies to one operator between Caithness and Inverness, Stagecoach has created a bus timetable to suit its own interests and not those of the public it claims to serve.

Sir – Re the Northern Times front page article last week "Councillor's rail comments 'unhelpful' " – I can hardly believe that any councillor worthy of the name, irrespective of party, would make idiotic remarks about the closing of a vital Highland link.

Sir – I read Mr Park's letter (NT September 19) regarding the proposed destruction of a large part of the Dornoch esker with some interest.

Sir – Having read the article based on Golf World's course rating ("The ups and downs of golf course ratings" NT last week), I felt it important to reassure your readers that the disappointment highlighted was only that of the article writer and not that reflected by the opinion of golfers locally, nationally and internationally.

Sir – I want to congratulate David Walker and the group of people working with him on their suspicions about the company TMIV and I am thrilled that no Lairg money was lost in the "sale" of these land lots on the hotel site.

Sir – Last year this paper was kind enough to enter my plea for help in finding my roots in Airdens, Bonar Bridge, Sutherland.

Sir – I am afraid the problems faced by Effie Mackay (Widow (79) left to cope with flood on her own, NT last week) are pretty much the pattern for the future.

Sir – In January 2007 the Ministry of Defence awarded an £11 billion contract to the private Metrix Consortium to build and run a training centre for the armed forces at St Athan in south Wales.

Sir – I have visited Sutherland many times over the last few years. It is no exaggeration to say that I have become greatly attached not only to the obvious beauty and charm of this lovely county but the community as well.

Sir – The contempt in which Scottish and Southern Energy is holding our community over the Gordonbush wind farm development is breathtaking.

Sir – There has been no response from Scottish and Southern Energy to your front page article (5th September) on the horrendous deer cull they intend to carry out at Gordonbush.

Sir – I refer to the press statement put out in the name of Mr Neil MacLeod, chairman of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, on Tuesday 16th September and regret that with inevitable predictability his organisation, though seeming to change tack radically, still cannot resist having a go at those with whom it disagrees in a most distasteful manner.

Sir – When the planning hearing for Gordonbush wind farm was announced last June it was totally unexpected and the community had very little time to organise a united response.

Sir – I write as the co-owner, with my wife, of one of the homes directly on the A9 at Brora. We and many neighbours have objected vehemently to the news that Scottish and Southern Energy expect to use the narrow A9 running right through centre of Golspie and Brora for heavy loads of massive wind farm equipment.

Sir – I note with considerable interest the problems being encountered over the Gordonbush wind farm and would like to make two points.

Sir – Our Dornoch esker is under threat again from the proposed extension of quarrying at Cyderhall and Achley.

Sir – It is not only my privilege to be part of the GB Olympic skiing team but also to represent Scotland – without doubt one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Sir – The Gordonbush wind farm is a clear example of money overriding the needs of society, communities and the environment.

Sir – Several months ago I purchased a car which has been converted to use LPG (Autogas) as well as petrol.

Sir – As a native Gaelic speaker, I find myself in the unhappy position of tending to agree with the Caithness chiels who are against the construction, adoption, proliferation or placement of road signs in Gaelic, on the basis that they lead to confusion for the non-Gaelic speaker or student.

Sir – The land affected by this monumentally inappropriate industrial development is set to dominate and face the central heart of Sutherland.

Sir – I write as the owner, with my wife, of one of the homes directly on the A9 at Brora.

Sir – As chairman and committee member of the Sutherland branch of the SSPCA we are horrified to learn that Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) in its draft habitat management plan for Gordonbush Estate, have recommended that huge numbers of deer from throughout East Sutherland and probably further afield be lured, through rich feeding, to the Gordonbush estate, corralled and then killed.

Sir – It is completely unacceptable that the turbines for the Gordonbush wind farm will travel through Golspie and Brora, particularly for those living locally but also for everyone travelling to and from the north of Brora, including Orkney (Dismay over wind farm access choice, NT last week).

Sir – At the Gordonbush hearing last year, members of our community informed councillors on the planning committee that local consultation for the wind farm application had been fragmented and inadequate.

Sir – I have managed to obtain a copy of the legal constitution of the Scottish Crofting Foundation (its "Memorandum of Association"). It contains not a single reference to crofters.

Sir – With reference to the GM (genetically modified) controversy, two recent letters from New South Wales indicate that there are problems ahead for this technology.

Sir – I write to thank the Northern Times for their coverage of the Shucksmith Report and the concern it is causing Sutherland crofters. These concerns are now being felt throughout the crofting counties.

Sir – I am amazed to note that the geological feature situated in the picnic area at South Bonar, Bonar Bridge, is being referred to in print as "Stonehenge".

Sir – I am carrying out research into the provision of services for adults in Scotland who have been diagnosed with scoliosis.

Sir – I am writing with regards to the proposed reduction of a 0.5 teacher at Lochinver Primary School.

Sir – As a driver, there is hardly a day goes by that I do not encounter one of these ignorant, so-called well intentioned drivers. I have even, on several occasions, been beckoned to, to come out from a side street on to the A9 while this "goodie goodie" stops on the A9 and has a build-up of traffic at his back.

Sir – I understand from my daughter that one of your readers has criticised the "new" Timespan in Helmsdale.

Sir – I should like to comment on some of the statements in your columns (NT 18th July) attributed to Scottish Crofting Foundation vice-chairman Hugh Donaldson.

Sir – I am writing to you to say how pleased I am to find so many crofters like myself who are horrified by parts of the Shucksmith Report, and some of its ways of dealing with the decline in crofting.

Sir – Your article last week (Heritage centre 'not what it used to be') included the views of some people who preferred the old Timespan to the new, but it did not accurately convey the extent of approval and enthusiasm we have received for our recent redevelopment.

Sir – I was appalled to see that there appears to be no effort by either VisitScotland to inform and tempt Faroese tourists to spend time and money in Scotland, nor the County of Sutherland to inform and tempt Faroese tourists to spend time and money in Sutherland.

Sir – I just cannot allow the "Who, me? Nothing to do with me, guv," ramble by Patrick Krause, chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, as reported in The Northern Times of 18th July, to pass without comment.

Sir – May I take issue with your main headline in last week's issue, which refers to Mr Patrick Krause as a "crofting leader".

Sir – I write with reference to last week's article on Pitgrudy Caravan Park.

Sir – My sympathies to Catherine Cameron for her awful journey to a funeral (Letters, 18th July). I would like to compare her experience to mine the previous month.

Sir – Over the past forty-odd years I have been involved with a number of organisations, including the Crofters Commission.

Sir – As chairman of the South-East Sutherland Branch of the Scottish Crofting Foundation, and as a director, I would like the opportunity to present your readers with a positive view of the foundation itself, its chief executive and the recent crofting recommendations by Shucksmith.

Sir – Following the recent articles and letters about the Shucksmith report and the future of crofting, perhaps I can express some concern.

Sir – Regarding the letter last week from Mark Norton regarding the Dornoch rail link and getting the journey time from Inverness to Thurso down to three hours; if at the moment they could run on time and to schedule it would be a good start.

Sir – A holiday in the Cape Wrath area is bound to be an amazing experience because Scotland has managed to preserve some of Europe's remaining great wilderness areas, and the landscape of the north-west is breathtaking.

Sir – There is something amiss when the chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Foundation [Patrick Krause] is so clearly out of touch with the views of crofters over many of the proposals contained in the Shucksmith Report.

Sir – It was very nice to read the letter in last week's Northern Times from Christel Gaus regarding cutting peats in the Sutherland hills.

Sir – With regard to recent statements by Mike Lunan of the Friends of the Far North Line about the Dornoch rail link being a "dead duck" and the campaign having "run out of steam" after their analysis of studies conducted by the Dornoch Rail Link Action Group (NT last week), I can assure your readers that this is absolutely not the case.

Sir – Through your columns I would like to draw crofters' attention to the fact that no crofter I have spoken to accepts the key recommendations of the Shucksmith report.

Sir – After the article in the NT on 20th June about the central heating programme ("Free central heating became nightmare for pensioners"), I have discovered there are other complaints about the effectiveness of these installations.

Sir – While living in Skye for over 27 years, I used to cut peats every summer and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sir – I would like to take this opportunity to thank the folks of Sutherland for raising a fantastic £6281.20 for Red Cross Appeal Week funds 2008.

Sir – This year is the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Territorial Army. In addition to the national events that are taking place, we in Caithness felt that we would wish to mark the occasion locally in some suitable way.