Authorities must do everything possible to protect Festival from terror attacks

Whilst mingling with the Edinburgh Festival crowds over the last weeks I have to confess that an almost morbid concern with security has crossed my mind.

How easy it would be for terrorists to rupture not just an international celebration of the arts but the sense of gaiety that for the most part pervades the centre of the city.

I have consoled myself with the thought that Scotland and its capital doesn’t seem to be on the radar of those who would reap chaos and destruc- tion in pursuit of an obscure cause. Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, London, Manchester, Nice, Paris, yes. But surely not the capital of one of the less prominent countries by world standards.

Yet that would be naive. The authorities should be taking all reasonable measures – bag searches, street barriers, online surveillance – to do what they can to ensure that Edinburgh is not added to the list of woe. I was surprised that Scotsman columnist Joyce Mcmillan has so many reservations about that (Perspective, 25 August).

It is not difficult to imagine what her reaction would be if any part of the festivals was to be the subject of carnage.

For her to argue that we tolerate enormous death tolls on the roads each year misses the point. People exercise choice in owning and driving vehicles and sometimes the consequences of that choice can be disastrous.

The authorities certainly try to reduce the toll given the resources available. They are trying to do something about it.

They are right to protect the freedom of individuals to go about the business of enjoying the arts in their own way, content in the knowledge that as much as is practical is being done to ensure their safety. The recurring debate about the balance between security and freedom is not going to go away.

Until the day when there is no longer a need for that debate, we should be prepared to tolerate, surely, the minor inconveniences that help to guarantee safe streets and venues.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court, Glenrothes

Shortly before the 2017 Festival started, your newspaper had an interesting article in the Magazine which mentioned the original eight “gatecrashers” to the Edinburgh Festival.

Edinburgh People’s Theatre was one of the eight and, since then, we have performed our popular Scots Comedies for at least 60 consecutive years from 1958 until now.

It would have been nice if the powers-that-be at the Fringe had acknowledged our loyalty and commitment to the Fringe.

I wonder, is it because we are locals or because we are an amateur group or because we are not stand-ups from down south?

IRENE BEAVER

(Life Member Edinburgh People’s Theatre)

The Glebe Kirkliston, Edinburgh