I think that we need to wind some necks in here and stop arguing from extreme viewpoints (who'd have thought it on SD)?
Many of the police forces are undoubtedly underperforming on firearms licencing. The outcome of that is there's some inconvenience to certificate holders/applicants. Especially if you don't plan ahead and stock up on your ammo. Although more problematic if you are in a county that currently still doesn't process grant applications and you're after one. But the end of the world is unlikely to occur because of it and most people's shooting will not be affected.
Do these delays endanger public safety? Marginally, if at all I'd say. There's the possibility that time constraints and lack of staff mean corners might be cut and what that might mean if someone unsuitable is given guns (or given them back). The delay in renewals (tops seem to be about a year) mean possibly someone that has become unsuitable in that period still has guns where it might have been picked up. But that I think would be negligible (what effect potential 10 year certificates). The way police forces are these days, much of the delays however I suspect are caused by NOT cutting corners. They are very wary of being sued in most areas of police work these days.
As for the price: They have been pretty constant now for a number of years. Considering the enquiries that have to be done to ensure you are good to go for a certificate, (it's significantly more than calling round for a chat, coffee and Hob Nobs) it's undeniable that the price is eminently reasonable. However, the police are centrally/council funded to ensure public safety and at least some of the cost should come from that. It's their job after all! But, in the near future I can see the cost to the applicant rising. Although Wee Nippy's lot of a 450% odd increase is pretty eye watering and I'm sure includes a political angle. Which, I don't think they've really thought out too well for a lefty government. That's bound to put many low income people out of the running, making firearms ownership in Bonny Scotland more the reserve of the well-heeled. D'oh!