16 AUGUST 1997, Page 26

Sir: If 'Scottish ballet' is heading towards oblivion, this may

be greeted with equanim- ity. The idea of Scottish ballet calls up a spectrum of rather distasteful images, from the general idea of a bureaucrat-run `cul- ture' unable to survive without Arts Coun- cil funding to Billy Connolly in a tutu.

Dance in Scotland should be to do with reels and with braw lads and bonnie lassies in tartans and white socks jumping over sword blades. Scottish ballet's replacement with real Scottish dancing is a cause in which Conservatives and Scottish National- ists might ally.

Hal Colebatch

27 Portland Street, Nedlands, Australia