Sir, – I read with interest the article about the Scottish Government's 'earliest ever' farm cash.

I have been waiting for the grant money for my Small Farm Woodland scheme for nine weeks, although I was told when I discussed the application that money would be paid within eight weeks – and usually quicker than that.

The money that is outstanding adds up to nearly the total Government payments I recieve in a year, but I am still waiting and its not exactly helping my cashflow, as the expenditure was all paid for well before I could put in the paperwork to claim the grant.

The reason I was given for the delay was Covid-19 and they had to prioritise other payments which have a regulatory deadline! Smoke and mirrors comes to mind.

Thomas E Jackson

Boghead,

Lumsden,

Huntly.