Songs of sorrow

I am grateful to John Malcolm (Letters, 28 August) for his comments, which I accept unreservedly.

However, my aim was to point out that I, most of the time, regard Loch Lomond as being in that unique collection of Scottish songs, which includes Flooers o' the Forest and Flow gently, sweet Afton, behind which lie great poignancy and unremitting heartbreak, something of which I hoped to remind those (a large majority, I am sure) who were already aware of this, and to inform the minority, if any, who were not.

In closing, may I recommend my own two favourite variations – that by the American vocalist, Maxine Sullivan, accompanied by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, a real tribute, and the fabulous instrumental version by our own Clyde Valley Stompers.

GEORGE COOPER

Westgate

Leslie, Fife