HELP- a call to arms!

**Dirk Skene** · 14th March 07, 09:38 AM

To whom it may concern

On January 29th of this year several of my friends paid a visit to the Visit Scotland office in Dumfries. A one Mr. Matthews insulted them by making a derogatory remark about their kilts, and saying one of their numbers was a loud-mouthed American. Mr. Matthews has refused to apologize. I find this disturbing for 4 reasons. They were personal friends, I am an American, I wear a kilt more often than I wear trousers, and I am proudly of Scottish decent from my mother’s side. I am of Clan Skene. Danus M. Skene of Skene who lives in Milnathort is my chef. He runs a tourist business that promotes visits to Scotland. If Mr. Matthews cannot refrain from insulting tourists he has no business working an office for an organization that promotes tourism for Scotland.

Respectfully,
David Parrott
Memphis, Tennessee
USA

**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

**Chef** · 14th March 07, 09:52 AM

If you don't get satisfaction I will be happy to forward this to my contacts at the Scottish Executive, but I hope it can be resolved with out that action.

**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!

**Pour1Malt** · 14th March 07, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Chef

I'm happy to send emails, I was just wondering why you are not sending emails to the Head Office in Edinburgh. Also, I would suggest that as many as possible send an actual letter to the Head Office. Unfortunately emails don't have quite the impact that letters do.

Complaints to the Head Office can be sent to:

Mr. John Beattie
Head of Information and Sales
VisitScotland
Ocean Point One
94 Ocean Drive
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6JH

his email is john.beattie@visitscotland.com

I'll hold off my complaint there until I hear from you in case there is a reason you don't want to go to the Head Office at this time.

at first I just kept it local... I hand delivered letters to the three local VisitScotland people over Mr. Matthews... and to Mr. Matthews....

I gave then just over 2 weeks to respond...

no response....

so now I have emailed a new letter to malcolm.roughead@visitscotland.com Director of Marketing,...
denise.hill@visitscotland.com Head of International Marketing... ewan.colville@visitscotland.com Marketing Manager (North America/Asia Pacific)

... all of whom seem to be the right people... according to the VisitScotland web site....

I am happy to send more emails to many more people at VisitScotland....

I also sent emails to Russell Brown - MP for Dumfries and Galloway Constituency russell@brownmp.new.labour.org.uk.

Elaine Murray MSP for Dumfries and Galloway , Scottish Parliament elaine.murray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

and posted this call to arms on Xmarks....

...

I am not finished yet....

.

**RockyR** · 14th March 07, 09:58 AM

I sent emails to the original 3 people and to 2 others listed later in this thread... (5 total).

Good on you for keeping these kinds of jerks in check. It's bad for Scotland and bad for kilts and should NOT be tolerated.

**cavscout** · 14th March 07, 10:22 AM

Perhaps they're getting a refresher lesson on the phrase, "Ladies from Hell!"

Let's increase our demands to a bottle of scotch 1year old for every day they delayed the apology. Then we have some room to negotiate

Have fun storming the castle!

**Pour1Malt** · 14th March 07, 10:41 AM

I hate to say it..

but...

since Elaine Murray
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumfries Constituency

http://elainemurray.scotparliament.co.uk

elaine.murray.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

is the ONLY person who has even graced me with a reply....

maybe we all need to send our emails to her!

She seems to want to help...

**pdcorlis** · 14th March 07, 10:46 AM

Here's a thought - call the press... nothing lubricates a discussion with hesitant bureaucrats more than a little public scrutiny.

Perhaps we could all "sign" an electronic petition or letter.

**Pour1Malt** · 14th March 07, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Would Hamish,dwg69, and starbukjus please post on this thread their reactions to this incident. It would be helpful to have a few more details.

I agree....

as a side note...

yesterday I spoke with Derek (dwg69) on the phone...

he called the Dumfries VisitScotland office to remind them that they had one more day to reply... and that he (nor I) had heard anything from them.....

he was told that one supervisor was on holiday and the boss was out of the office....

I know he recently broke his wrist and is going on a holiday himself soon... not sure if he has been on xmarks much lately...

.