Rebuild, renew

As a Franco-scot I watched in horror as Notre Dame de Paris erupted into flames. In my St Andrews flat I felt an overwhelming need to be on the Île de la Cité where I first saw this fantastic example of Gothic architecture with my French grandmother in the late 1940s after it had miraculously survived Hitler’s order to burn Paris.

But Monday night was for mourning – today our thoughts turn to resurrecting this symbol of the City of Lights and the French nation. President Macron has already announced a national subscription to rebuild the church, kickstarted by huge personal donations from the wealthy, but, as ever, the “widow’s mite” will be far more symbolic.

Fire threatened to destroy everything and though much is lost, the 850-year-old twin towers remain. I doubt France has trees big enough to replace the ancient wooden beams but these will be sourced. Fortunately, the iconic building became such an amalgam of design across the centuries, restoration needn’t mean exact replication.

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

The shock and horror of witnessing the great cathedral of Notre Dame being overtaken by fire was only matched by a transfixing awe at the mixing of colour on the developing canvas of smoke and steam high above.

Next to the cathedral, a low sinking sun over the River Seine performed its own breathtaking beauty.

On Monday night it took on the form of a terrifying symbol of cosmic and terrestrial partnership.

A confirming ash shall settle across Europe.

DOUGLAS HOGG Gordon, Berwickshire