TOURISM is Scotland’s major business and there are a record number of
tourists visiting. This success comes with problems.
Skye can’t cope with the numbers, the ferry services to the outer isles are
inadequate and the visitor footfall at Culloden is causing damage to the
clan graves on the battlefield.
We don’t need “Groundbreaking apps, creative digital campaigns and
inspirational content” from VisitScotland. We need better infrastructure.
The Seychelles with a population of 94,000 has more five-star hotels than
Scotland, population six million. We need better visitor services. Hotels
should have someone to talk to foreign visitors. Many come to visit the
fictional land of Outlander with no idea of the real treasures of our
country. Satisfied customers are the best advert for any business or country.
The West Highland Line is one of the outstanding rail journeys in the
world. The rolling stock is inadequate. There should be an informed guide
on each train to answer tourists questions. A printed booklet with the
features to look out for along the journey would be a worthwhile
investment. At the moment, travellers get a fancy menu for the trolley. The
real meal is outside in the gorgeous scenery sometimes visible through the
dirty train windows and the overgrown trackside vegetation.
VisitScotland has closed most tourist information centres in the mistaken
belief that digital services are adequate replacement. We need to spend
money in Scotland, not on Tartan Week parades on Fifth Avenue.
John Black,
The Scottish Jacobite Party,
6 Woodhollow House, Helensburgh.
Gillian Bishop
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