Scottish outlook on kilted Americans?

[Phil]

I am not sure if perhaps you may be projecting viewpoints onto tourists to your country that they may not actually feel. I have been to Scotland many times but never held these views. But I may seem like I hold these views because of the type of destinations I like to see while I am there. But that is because we live in the modern world everyday, we use technology and all that all the time. When on vacation people want an escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. That is not to say that we see Scotland as an old fashioned and not up with the times. For instance when someone comes to the US for vacation I do not assume they don't appreciate the countries work on space programs and other engineering wonders because they only wanted to see the Statue of Liberty or Mount Rushmore. I do not think a tourist views America as being all rustic and a bit out of touch with the modern because they spent their entire time visiting old western towns and the grand canyon. Put simply you may be looking way too much into the viewpoints a tourist has of your wonderful country. Views they may actually not hold and thus getting frustrated that they see your country as being simple and quaint just because they like to see castles and listen to bagpipes. Just my take and certainly no offense is intended. I just wanted to say as a tourist of your lovely country that I completely understand that there is way more to Scotland then the tourist destinations. Just like every country in Western Europe and North America, it is complex and has much to offer. But when I am on vacation I want an escape and just to relax, just saying.

Thank you for your insight and I hope that it is a view shared by more of your countrymen. Of course no-one wants to come and see factories, power stations, industrial estates etc. and escapism is all that vacations are about, A chance to see things that you cannot at home and meet people from another culture. All excellent things to do and, hopefully, educational as well.