26 AUGUST 2000, Page 23

From Mr David A. Dickson Sir: In his diary (12

August) Andrew Neil claims that the rise in circulation of the Scotsman is due to it no longer being 'the mouthpiece of the Scottish blethering class- es'. No doubt he is correct and has chosen not to mention the price-cut to 20p because of its irrelevance.

David A. Dickson

DDEdin@aol.com