Police seize tartan tat in raids

[robthehiker]

I'm all for boycotting them and educating the public about where to get goof quality kilts etc.

Was that a typo Kevin?

[slohairt]

Hey, is that woman in the picture looking at an Isle of Skye skirt?
[the jonesing begins again ...]

No, I'm quite sure it's "Bright Skye"!

[Coemgen]

Was that a typo Kevin?

Oops!

That's what I get for writing politico-economic philosophy on two hours of sleep.

[O'Callaghan]

Sounds like the should've confronted the owners first. I would think imposing fines would've been more legal than actually confiscating possessions.

Probably something called an Anton Pillar order, which allows for seizure of counterfeit goods, assuming it was the tartans they were selling without copyright permission, e.g. the Princess Di tartan and the Isle of Skye tartan that they were selling.

I see I'm wrong. Just obstructing the pavement (sidewalk).

[Tetley]

Actually, I have to say I'm on the side of the businesses on this one. I'm all for boycotting them and educating the public about where to get goof quality kilts etc. However, having the government steal the merchandise and signs and such on a legal technicality without any warning is just plain wrong.

Well, there you're wrong. Nothing was "stolen" by definition since the traders were warned that this would happen and didn't comply. It's also not a legal technicality any more than a 30mph speeding restriction.

Whether or not the regulations were fair is another matter entirely. Suffice it to say that in all areas of public access in Britain, it is usual for bylaws to state something like "emergency services must be able to gain swift and immediate access" and that forms the basis for most of this sort of thing.

As for the advertising boards, well these things have got out of hand in more than one place. I've seen A boards over 7 feet high and 4 feet wide completely blocking the pavement before now, forcing pedestrians to walk in a busy road. So I'm on the side of compromise. Some goods outside, reasonable sized A boards and confiscation and fines for those who repeatedly infringe.

It also seems to be the case that a blind eye is turned on activities like this until there are a certain number of complaints. Then the authorities come down like a ton of bricks and apply the law exactly, no exceptions, including the people that complained in a number of cases that I know of, which is always a bit of a giggle.

[Highland Logan]

I somewhat curious as why whenever something gets mentioned about the Royal Mile all those who live nowhere close seem to be so offended by the goings on there? As a tourist trap it's no worse than anything found in America... Las Vegas or Graceland... bobble-head Elvis anyone?

Frank

[Carolina Kiltman]

I somewhat curious as why whenever something gets mentioned about the Royal Mile all those who live nowhere close seem to be so offended by the goings on there? As a tourist trap it's no worse than anything found in America... Las Vegas or Graceland... bobble-head Elvis anyone?

Frank

Amen. Brother! Actually I think you mentioned a couple of the more subdued ones

[pdcorlis]

While its true there are plenty of "tat" shops on the royal mile, its hard to find other locations that pack as much real history into each square yard.

[robthehiker]

I somewhat curious as why whenever something gets mentioned about the Royal Mile all those who live nowhere close seem to be so offended by the goings on there? As a tourist trap it's no worse than anything found in America... Las Vegas or Graceland... bobble-head Elvis anyone?

Frank

I would venture that members of XMARKSTHEKING.COM may feel the same way about Graceland.