HELP- a call to arms!

**Arlen** · 15th March 07, 01:42 PM

Thank you for updating us all on this.
It's nice to see it got sorted out eventually.

**cessna152towser** · 15th March 07, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the update Robertson and thanks to Barbara Clark, Denise Hill and Delia Holland at Visit Scotland. All's well that ends well.

**BEEDEE** · 15th March 07, 03:27 PM

Just PM'ed Barbara Clark with a "thank you"

Brian

**Doc** · 15th March 07, 04:42 PM

Well done all. And a thank you to Barbra Clark for her prompt action. I hope she returns often, if just to say hi.

Doc

**Dirk Skene** · 15th March 07, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by barbara clark

Dear Robertson and forum members ......

Thank you, dear Lady.

**andyfg** · 15th March 07, 06:03 PM

I too have been away for a few days. Robertson, I am sorry about the whole incident, but glad there seems to be a happy conclusion.

As an expat Brit in the USA (12 years) I am mostly glad of the welcome I and my family have received. Occasionally, I have met with similar narrow-mindedness from the odd ignorant person who makes unkind comments about British people. It puts one in a strangely vulnerable position. Nonetheless, the mixing of cultures, the exchange of ideas and the acceptance of difference is, in the end, a good thing for all of us.

I think you are a credit to Scotland and the USA.

Let's hope this incident will contribute to greater tolerance.

My best to you (and Emma) and thanks to those folk from VisitScotland who responded.

Dr. Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, Assistant Professor in Philosophy, SUNY Cortland, NY, USA.

**Kilted_Campbell** · 15th March 07, 06:06 PM

WOW, I am impressed by the response to the issue from the rabble and the attention provided by the Ms Clark & Ms Holland. I did not start reading the thread until this evening and did send a note to VisitScotland. Thanks for the apology and sincere feelings !

**Pour1Malt** · 16th March 07, 03:36 AM

I have sent an email to Delia...

this is what I sent...

Delia Holland-

Thank you again for taking the time to come by Ferintosh. I greatly appreciate you respecting me enough to speak to me in person and I thank you for the apology. Both Emma and I found you to be quite professional, reasonable, and personable.

Thank you also for the apology that you and Barbara Clark posted on the Xmarks website. I am satisfied with the apology from VisitScotland. I imagine the other three gentlemen are satisfied too and I will be contacting them today to confirm that.

In my original letter I asked for “a written apology from both Mr. Matthews and the VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway Network Office for these malicious and hurtful statements. “

I would still like an apology from Mr. Matthews, I realize you apologized on his behalf, but I prefer he takes responsibility for his behavior and apologizes to me himself, either in writing or in person. I am happy to stop by the VisitScotland office within the next few weeks and, if Mr. Matthews is working behind the desk, this would afford him the opportunity to apologize to me in person. After this occurs I can feel this matter has been completely resolved.

I am looking forward to having this whole incident behind me.

As a side note- I was a tenured professor for 8 years in America before giving up everything to move to Scotland and although, I am not a professor here, I still expect people to treat me with the same respect and decency that I deserve. This has not been a petty matter to me and I thank you again for treating me with respect and decency.

Thank you
Robertson Wellen
Ferintosh Guest House

**Jerry** · 16th March 07, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by barbara clark

Dear all

We are currently investigating this incident and will post a full reply as soon as we possibly can. We apologise for any upset this may have caused members of this forum and want to make it clear that this type of action is not representative of the staff at VisitScotland or Scotland as a whole. I can assure you that a warm welcome awaits you all!

Barbara Clark
Head of Communications, VisitScotland

Welcome to the forum, Barbara, and thank you for your quick response to this. I hope that this isn't your last visit to Xmarks and you will continue to check back here from time to time.

**Niblox** · 16th March 07, 06:11 AM

Glad to hear that this has been sorted. As someone who deals with the public, I know how a single stupid remark can cause mayhem in one's dealings with others.

Good on Robertson for starting the ball rolling, and let's hope there are no further incidents.

And I hope this guy has the decency to say

himself!

Niblox