HELP- a call to arms!

**Dirk Skene** · 14th March 07, 05:49 AM

I will be making a reply. I want to "tweak" it first. I will send it to you via PM before I fire it off to VisitScotland. I want to make a good impression & not just "slam."

I have a friend that is a lower level diplomat for the US. One night while discussing world affaires he said, "David, there is a reason you do not work for us. You start wars.

**cavscout** · 14th March 07, 06:22 AM

Email sent. I also included a bit of personal sentiment as well

Dear VisitScotland-

I'm contacting about an incident some of my friends experienced in one of your offices in January. A recap is documented below but I would like to add my personal statement to this as well. It is very sad that The Kilt is held in such little regard to the VisitScotland organization for a remark such as this to be spoken. Even if the remark is accurate, it is even more sad that the Scottish people have turned their backs on The Kilt as a symbol of their culture, so that when someone see's a Kilt in Scotland is is expected that they are an American.

If the VisitScotland office has this view of The Kilt, and those that choose to preserve it (whether Scots, Irish, English, American...) I wonder what your view on all other things Scottish might be. It saddens me very much to think that a part of my heritage that I value so much is not valued nearly as much by those who are more directly tied to it.

It appears that the root of this issue is that VisitScotland feels insulted by Americans presuming to wear a Kilt. My question to you is, Isn't it more insulting that the people who should treasure the Kilt do not wear it and are willing to relegate it to the tourists and museums.

I challenge you to encourage Kilt wearing by men in a respectful manner by educating them as to the heritage and pride that is embodied and symbolized by The Kilt. You can start in your own office by setting the standard and example of how to properly wear The Kilt. As tourists visit you for information on enjoying their trip they will also be educated in the proper way to wear the kilt with respect and honor. This would be a great service to the tourists as well as the community and the nation of Scotland.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

**Pour1Malt** · 14th March 07, 09:45 AM

some good news...

I sent a copy of my complaint to my local MSP (Member Scottish Parliament)

an received this email within a few hours....

Dear Mr Wellen

I've just had a look at your website and cannot see why anyone from
visitScotland should be derogatory about you - or about American tourists. I'll
take this up with Delia Holland of the Dumfries and Galloway Office

Yours sincerely

Elaine Murray
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumfries Constituency
01387 279205: 07919392049

For further information, visit my website at
http://elainemurray.scotparliament.co.uk

**IEScotsman** · 14th March 07, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Pour1Malt

some good news...

I sent a copy of my complaint to my local MSP (Member Scottish Parliament)

an received this email within a few hours....

Wow...you've got Parliament looking into this! Feel blessed. I just got reply last night from my Congresswoman (equivalent of an MSP) from an e-mail I sent her last year!