I'll am re-visiting Edinburgh's Royal Mile next week and I'll bet more even tat is there since my last visits in 2007 and 2009, simply because the country's economy is worse. Tat provides employment and they sell what most people will buy, few want expensive kilts as they cannot justify it. The horrid music did not bother me, I simply bypassed these shops to spent my money in more pleasant ones. The stock along the footpaths was invariably poor quality and kilts were often weather affected but they, along with the abundant flower pots, added badly needed colour to lighten up the otherwise sombre sandstone buildings! Most of the shops with stuff littering the footpaths had decent kilts and ladies skirts and jewellery hidden right at the back of the store.

A bigger issue was the severe lack of toilets for the evening festival crowds. Decent toilets were near the castle but were barracaded off during the tattoo. Those under the tattoo stands were too few in number. In 2009 my wife spent 40 minutes standing in line there for about half a dozen portable toilets for the women! The men's was quicker but sheer numbers meant the door was open constantly and, with no screens inside, passers by saw all! Seating may be improved for the tattoo this year but the toilets appear untouched. I saw many very distressed people along the street refused restaurant toilets after they could not find public ones. Restaurants invariably only let people having a usually poor quality over priced meal use theirs. There were public toilets in Bridge St and in Waverley station but they are well down the street and not obvious. I suggest Edinburgh council has bigger problems than tat and the low quality kilts lining the Royal Mile, it seems they intend to preserve its ancient name of "Old Reeky" as visitors do relieve themselves in the many alleyways when they cannot find a loo!

I am going back again because I love it. It is unique and some tat is vital to ensure it survives. There are many stores selling decent locally made hand made kilts and variations of them plus quality Scottish produce and pricing can be very attractive. Most quality stores will still have a bit of tat scattered around but without the blaring music so it can be more pleasantly sorted through and their prices should be no different. The Royal Mile of course is but a tiny part of Scotland, a country which has much to crow about. Of course I am travelling way beyond Edinburgh, but it is a hell of a good place to start any visit!

Bill Sides Melbourne