SIR, I am a Borderer only by marriage, but during my 80 years I have lived in five other Scottish regions. I have often noticed how many Scottish people have never visited the splendid abbeys, castles, peel towers and stately homes with which our regions abounds, many of them having played memorable and often heroic roles in Scottish history.

If Hermitage Castle, Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford have not attracted more Scottish tourists, what chance this new tapestry? Moreover, what are the chances that the present enterprise will be completed on budget?

Look at the much bigger professionally managed Victoria and Albert project at Dundee and draw conclusions.

In the Borders we are not short of much worthier causes on which to spend our already over-stretched financial resources.

I am, etc.

Donald CB Cameron Clovenfords SIR, I am a Borderer only by marriage, but during my 80 years I have lived in five other Scottish regions. I have often noticed how many Scottish people have never visited the splendid abbeys, castles, peel towers and stately homes with which our regions abounds, many of them having played memorable and often heroic roles in Scottish history.

If Hermitage Castle, Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford have not attracted more Scottish tourists, what chance this new tapestry? Moreover, what are the chances that the present enterprise will be completed on budget?

Look at the much bigger professionally managed Victoria and Albert project at Dundee and draw conclusions.

In the Borders we are not short of much worthier causes on which to spend our already over-stretched financial resources.

I am, etc.

Donald CB Cameron Clovenfords