THE Transocean Winner is classed by [Norwegian company] DNV GL as a mobile offshore drilling unit (MSP hits out at cuts after rig runs aground, The National, Aug 9). It should have a dedicated marine crew onboard. Where were they?

To attempt to tow such a vessel through the northern North Sea/Atlantic ocean with no crew onboard seems reckless. They could have performed several tasks which may have saved the situation:

1) Clear away and lower into the water one or more of the vessel’s eight anchors.

2) Put into service one or both of the vessel’s 2.4 megawatt propulsion motors.

3) Attempt, if the materials were at hand, to reconnect the tow. Items 1) and 2) may have slowed or arrested the rate of drift towards the coastline giving more time to attempt 3).

Seems a classic case of a drilling contractor trying to save tuppence and costing itself a small fortune. A few phone calls around the Western Isles would soon have put a capable crew in place.

What do the Norwegian/British marine authorities have to say about such an operation so close to their coastlines?

James D Malcolm, Foggieloan

BASED on data from the World Bank and the IMF, analysis by Global Finance Magazine has established that smaller countries continue to dominate the list of the world’s richest countries, while the top three are unchanged from 2015. Lessons to be learnt here for our own “small” country of Scotland perhaps.

The magazine ranked the world’s countries according to their gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita.

The PPP takes into account the relative cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries to compare living standards among the different nations.

Twelve of the 25 richest countries are in Europe, while the US and Canada also made the cut. The UK did not make the top 25, ranking at No 27 with a GDP per capita of £27,241.

Topping the table is the Gulf State of Qatar, with a population of over two million (£101,406 per capita) and in second place is Luxembourg (£65,339 per capita), with a population on a par with that of Edinburgh.

In third place is Singapore (£58,909 per capita), with a population around that of Scotland.

Norway, with a population less than Scotland, lies in sixth place (£46,962 per capita) and Ireland, despite its previous economic troubles, lies in 14th place (£33,882 per capita).

Smaller countries have an agility that is lacking in their larger neighbours, developing a culture of entrepreneurship and playing to their natural advantages.

As we look towards our constitutional future it is smaller countries, many of whom possess considerably less resources and people than our own, who lead the way. This is where our future lies.

Alex Orr, Edinburgh

GLASGOW Councillor Alistair Watson mentions the possibility of integrating existing railways to take more flexible tram lines regarding Glasgow Airport, and also the dis-used railway lines in the city (Letters, The National, August 2).

I recall a similar proposal in the 1990s perhaps by the former Strathclyde Regional Council.

The old Maryhill line alongside the Kelvin would be reopened so that trams could go from Drumchapel into the city centre, where they’d run on tram lines along Sauchiehall Street etc to the High Street.

There they would join the mainline eastwards, until taking new track into Easterhouse.

Besides providing faster travel across the north of Glasgow, it would also be easier for people in these areas to take jobs in the city centre.

Robert Walker, Kinross

AFTER reading Julie McDowall’s generous review of Brexit: The Battle for Britain on Monday I decided to give the programme a go. I ought not to have bothered. It had seemed a fair assumption after all. With the presence of a new female Scottish political editor in Laura Kuenssberg, it ought be different. In fact the programme was as packed with parochialism and little Englandism as any I have ever seen.

Scotland was only mentioned in a very brief passing with a several-second camera shot of Ruth Davidson. My overall visual memory of the programme is of London buses driving past Big Ben and all the usual suspects being trotted out for interview. As a portent of what we are in for from the BBC during indyref2 it was more than a little scary.

Alan Clayton, Strachur

THE incredibly low interest rate is succeeding in sustaining high house prices, especially in London and district. However, for those who have managed to squirrel away something in the way of savings, it is having a devastating effect. The pockets of those who have scraped together a modest £10K are being picked to the tune of around £10 a week, £10 few of those can afford.

It would seem there are gangsters in the Treasury and in Westminster. Those, to quote The Godfather: “With a briefcase [you] can steal more than a hundred men with guns.”

Joseph G Miller, Dunfermline

THE UK – except Scotland – is heading for a shale gas bonanza with lower energy prices, significant job prospects and a manufacturing revival.

A Scottish Government report has already stated that fracking can be carried out safely but the First Minister refuses to give it the go-ahead in Scotland.

Ineos wanted to exploit Scottish shale gas for its petrochemical plant at Grangemouth instead of importing from America but tired of waiting for a decision from the Scottish Government they obtained licences to extract shale gas in the North of England.

Ineos will soon be importing English shale gas, using English workers, for its plant in Scotland. The Scottish Government must stop dithering.

Clark Cross, Linlithgow

SINCERE thanks to everyone at The National. It’s wonderful to have a serious paper with real news. I’m starting to use the Gaelic page to increase my vocabulary and understanding of our language.

You make me feel “the dream” will become reality and maybe sooner than I’d ever dared think. Many, many thanks.

Catriona Grigg, Embo