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her complaining that the closure of Fort George and Kinloss would be “unacceptable and the Scottish government opposes further defence cuts to defence”.

This is the leader of a party who would close our submarine base at Faslane with the loss of 15,000 Scottish jobs and inflict a huge hit on the local economy.

With a £15billion black hole in finances and oil at below $50 a barrel, we could conceivably see Fort George housing the entire Scottish army ‘post independence' and the fast fighter planes going south along with the rest of the UK defence forces based in Scotland.

Defence must mean something different to Ms Sturgeon's party?

Sam Coull, Boddam, Peterhead. has been undermined over the years by flooding of the River Shiel.

There are three significant streams running into Loch Shiel at its north-eastern end, where the monument is situated, but none of these is the River Shiel.

The River Shiel is the outflow from Loch Shiel at its south western end, more than 20 miles from the monument; therefore more likely to reduce than create flooding in the vicinity of the monument. Donald MacKenzie, Fort William. conflicts. Working with Nato partners, I also learned the difficulties and frustrations involved in seeking the compromises required to work in partnership.

Despite the difficulties, I learned that making partnerships work, rather than division, is the only route to peaceful, prosperous co-existence. What did the first minister learn on her visit I wonder?

Andrew Couper, The Cliff, Collieston.