"Nor yet is it true that you have jet fighters flying overhead at 150 feet, on 'training' exercises, shaking your house to the foundations. Then of course, there's the live shells being fired at Cape Wrath, in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland."

Not strictly correct, John.

The Trent Valley (which is where I live) has a number of operational RAF bases close by, and has, for a very great many years, been a designated low-flying training area for RAF fast jets, and for the training aircraft from nearby Cranwell and the RAF bases adjacent to the A1 in Yorkshire. We also have the Red Arrows based on our doorstep at Scampton, and the RAF's AWACS fleet of modified Boeing 707s at nearby at Waddington. Additionally, for many years the TV was used by the USAF for low-flying training of their A-10 'Tank-Buster' aircraft, so we're well used to the roar of jet engines and aircraft low enough to read the name-tag on the pilot's flying-suit.

And, of course, when they were operational Vulcan bases, the country's main stock of Blue Steel stand-off nuclear bombs and other nuclear devices were stored at Scampton and Waddington (both of which are only six or seven miles from the center of Lincoln).

Live firing and bombing is also carried on at Donna Nook, on the Lincolnshire coast.

But I agree with your judgment re: the beauty of Scotland! The Lincolnshire Backwoods don't quite match the grandeur of your country! :-) :-)