Towering figure

I recall in the 1960s when Edinburgh University razed George Square’s glorious 18th century buildings to make way for the vile modernist buildings of Stalinist architecture then fashionable with posers in the groves of academe.

Worse still, the university named a truly ghastly tower block after the Enlightenment philosopher David Hume. The academic journeymen on the Senate basked in his reflected glory and made much of his association with the institution.

When I read theology there in the 1970s I recall the dis - gust of its famous professor of ecclesiastical history, the late Alex Cheyne, at such barbarism and his contention that Hume’s name should not be associated with such vulgarity.

He would have been much relieved that the hideous silo

snowflakes use as a safe space is now being referred as 40 George Square. Hopefully something more fitting will be found, such as the iconic “23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam”. REV DR JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

It is regrettable when a fine institution such as Edinburgh University gives into a tiny minority who take issue with the opinions of David Hume about slavery expressed over 250 years ago by changing the name of the David Hume Tower.

I have signed the petition to retain the name of the tower as befits a man who was a giant of the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment – of which I suspect those who signed the petition to rename the Tower know little or nothing – and I would strongly urge other readers of The Scotsman who care about our history to do the same. The university must be made aware that the groups like BLM who want to topple statues and erase the names of significant men (which most of them were) are often led by people whose own opinions are total anathema to all reasonable people.

It is clear that Edinburgh University has made a very big mistake in renaming the Tower and we wait for them to come to their senses.

ANDREW HN GRAY Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh