LETTERS
Safe sects
Sir: Miss Woods is too sensational in what she infers about modern Scotland from the conversation of her husband's school- friends (`The joy of sects', 14 July). That the Pope in recent years made not just a safe but a successful visit to Glasgow should put the city's Orange tercentenary celebrations into their proper perspective. Distinctions between Catholic and Protes- tant, once internecine, today count for as little as, for example, the historical enmity between Presbyterianism and Episcopa- lianism. While a certain Scottish hankering after buried hatchets will ensure that such distinctions are not wholly forgotten, any suggestion that Scotland resembles North- ern Ireland in this respect is misleading.
Miss Woods also included a brief survey of Scottish politics, which stopped just short of an interesting conclusion. Scots appear to vote, within the not always appropriate framework of British political parties, on Scottish matters. The often mystifying results suggest that the Scottish vote is now wielded more out of frustration than because of aspiration; not so much for one particular candidate or party as against all the others.
Alastair Mathewson
Dulnain Bridge, Inverness-shire
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