Speak up

The article by Scott Macnab on freedom of speech was accompanied by a photograph (Perspective, 11 April).

The caption reads, “Labour firebrand Paddy Fagan gets on his soapbox at the Mound in Edinburgh to set the world to rights.” In fact, the photograph depicts a scene at the foot of Leith Walk. As well as the speaker, you can see part of the familiar statue of Queen Victoria, parts of the former Leith Central station and the Palace cinema, now a Wetherspoons pub. Mr Fagan’s soapbox bears the legend, Vote for Hoy our boy. James Hoy was MP for Leith for many years from 1945 on.

I recall the 1950 and 1951 elections, when street urchins ran about the constituency chanting, “Vote for Hoy, he’s the boy, not for Mekie, he’s so cheeky.” Eoin Mekie twice failed to unseat Mr Hoy.

It is well known that there was a “speakers corner” at the Mound in Edinburgh. It is less well known that the area beneath the royal statue at the Foot of the Walk served a similar purpose.

RICHARD SCOTT Salisbury Road, Edinburgh

How delighted I was to see your picture of Paddy Fagan on his soapbox illustrating Scott Macnab’s column, and particularly because he was campaigning for Jimmy Hoy’s election as MP for Leith! Disappointingly, you thought that the photo was taken at the Mound in Edinburgh but this one was obviously at the Fit o’ the Walk.

Now, old age does bring with it fits of self-questioning – perhaps long overdue wisdom? – but I do seem to remember Paddy Fagan on his soapbox at the Mound on Sunday afternoons. His great rival for the largest audience was – unsurprisingly – Leith Protestant Action councillor John Cormack. On one occasion, we listeners were urged to drift over one by one to swell his rival’s crowd and then come back in a rush together when Paddy got out his big hankie!

(REV) JACK KELLET Dyers Close, Innerleithen