HELP- a call to arms!

[Erisianmonkey]

I sent an e-mail. I said this:
I have been working on plans for an eventual visit to Scotland. An incident has recently come to light, however, regarding the attitude of the VisitScotland office in Dumfries towards Americans and kilt wearers. Please find below a copy of an e-mail that I was allowed to peruse from a fellow kilt wearer. Given that the requested apology was never forthcoming, I am inclined to understand that VisitScotland does not wish to have Americans or kilt wearers spend their money in Scotland, and that the opinions of Mr. Matthews are the official opinions of VisitScotland. Given that I am not a wealthy individual, I would like to make sure that at least the tourist board of a country would like my visit before I spend thousands of dollars (a certainty given the exchange rate between the US dollar, and the pound.) in their country.



An angry "Loud-mouthed American" (to quote Mr. Matthews of VisitScotland),

Rev. Charles R. Walker, Jr.

And then I put Robertson's cut and paste down below.

[Jerry]

I have sent an email also.

[McClef]

I sent the following:

"Dear VisitScotland,

I am writing in response to information I have been given regarding an incident that occured in your Dumfries office when derogatory comments were made by your representative, a Mr Matthews, about both kilt wearers and "loud mouthed Americans."

I gather others have also written and furnished you with the full details so I will not repeat them here. I also understand that the "loud-mouthed American living in Dumfries, who owns a guest house, struts around the town in his kilt and even does his shopping in it!" that Mr Matthews alluded to has written to you requesting an apology and has been greeted with silence on the matter.

As a kilt wearer and a frequent visitor to Scotland I am quite frankly appalled at such an unprofessional and discourteous attitude which is so totally against the ethos and spirit of projecting Scotland as a welcoming country that deserves to be visited and explored.

Whatever his private prejudices may be, they have no place when Mr Matthews is acting as your representative and having made them in this capacity it reflects badly not only on him but also upon your organisation, reinforced by the lack of response upon the matter.

It may surprise you to know that Scotland is linked with the kilt, even though few people may wear them every day. It may also surprise you to learn that visitors are very happy and glad to see such kilt wearers "strutting" in the streets. Every time I visit Scotland I am asked for photographs and to pose with such people. It may also surprise you that Scotland is a popular tourist destinations for Americans and that Scotland is famous for the welcome that it extends to visitors, not only from America but from all over the world as well as other parts of the United Kingdom. It may also surprise you that when people visit and make use of the facilities provided by your offices that they expect a professional and courteous service from those who work there. They also expect the same in how any complaints are dealt with.

You may wish to dismiss it as a "storm in a teacup" but you do so at your peril and to that of the reputation of Scotland. You have a rating system for accomodation that states "Using 1 to 5 Stars, Visitor Attractions are graded for the standard of customer care they provide for the visitor. The star awards focus on the standard of the welcome, hospitality and service..."

May I also suggest you look to doing the same for your Dumfries office. Based on the information about this incident it clearly fails your own criteria.

I trust that a written apology will be forthcoming to the gentlemen who visited and also to the gentleman who raised the complaint with you.

I remain,

Yours Faithfully,

Trefor Heywood M. Theol (St Andrews)
Abertillery
Wales"

[Rusty]

I sent an email to all three members about Mr Kerr. I am appalled by his attitude but it doesn't mean that we should all start slinging mud on this forum... name calling etc.... I think Robertson is handling it the right way, like a gentleman.