Letter: Government pie over Skye infuriates the islanders

DR TONY LANE makes a valid point in stating that many of the men serving in the Royal Navy during the war were ex-merchant seamen ('Wartime anniversary fuels feud', 23 May).

The Western Isles of Scotland paid a heavy price during the battle of the Atlantic, losing more men per head of population than any other area of the British Empire. In 1940 the casualty rate of the Western Isles was more than 20 times higher than the British mainland because so many were lost at sea.

Despite their sacrifices in war, I am not aware that any Western Islanders were officially asked to attend the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary.

Donald J MacLeod

Aberdeen