Letters: Scots rebellion?

Scots rebellion?

Sir: Sheena Wellington's moving singing of the the beautiful Robert Burns song "A man's a man for a' that" deserved better than the reception given it by your reporter ("Scots offer Queen a whiff of rebellion", 2 July).

To suggest that the song is simply anti-royal is to miss the point. Surely it's neither pro nor anti, but one of the great affirmations of the basic dignity of ordinary people.

The only mention that royalty gets is in verse four, which starts "A prince can mak' a belted knight/ a marquis, duke and a' that" and concludes "The pith o' sense and pride o' worth/ are higher rank than a' that". Of course it doesn't follow that we're not out to get shot of them...

MARTIN CARTHY

NORMA WATERSON

Robin Hood's Bay,

North Yorkshire