Rural Community Gateway

We look out to what is the best scenery in the world on the west coast and Hebridean Islands and it should be backed up by quality accommodation, services, interpretation, transport, eating out etc etc., but it isn't. In fact most of what humans produce around here is desperately down market. The quality of middle management within the industry is just not top drawer enough. Yet it is solvable because they just have to talk to people who do have ideas and quality in their souls. The creativity, lateral thinking and real commitment is just not there, probably because the decision makers do not really understand what our visitors actually want and yet they soak it up themselves when they travel around the world on their own holidays. This down market approach to our own tourism industry filters from top to bottom. It's a bit like coffee!! It can be rich, satisfying and delicious, or watery and expensive. Scotland produces the watery expensive sort at present and no one really cares.

Out tv ads are not bad but are they as good as the New Zealand ads which 'exude' the wonders of their beautiful natural environment, as ours should. It's not about money which is the usual excuse. We just don't have the 'style' to produce such ads.

It's hard for me to disagree with the sentiments raised so far. However, on a postive note I do think Visit Scotland's 'Live it' ad campaign is superb in its 'positioning of the brand' for city breaks or history or outdoor pursuits like biking. It's talking up our strengths.

Whilst I'm sure many of us have experienced surly service from native Scots/Brits, or poor value for money (e.g. the burger and chips for £8 I once saw advertised in one of our most touristy villages) I think that's the case with anywhere. Though I would add that our Antipodean and Eastern European cousins are doing a terrific job in our hospitality sector these days...I think there is a lot more good than bad in Scottish tourism.

Jo Cumming of Cairngorms Revolt Against Pylons sent this to us today:
"Where is the strategy that takes account of the importance of our scenery to Scotland's tourism industry and the need for renewables. How are all the renewables sites going to be joined up and linked to the national grid without creating an industrial wirescape? Rather than celebrating the construction of wind factories and mega pylons marching across our unique and precious landscape we should be looking at developing renewables close to where the energy will be used.

Just how green are these mega pylons when ALL aspects of their construction and maintenance are taken into account? How do the economics stack up when set against making our country a 'must' on the tourist trail? How many tourists will return to an area dominated by wind factories and massive pylons taller than the Wallace monument? How much more could be achieved by serious consideration given to local renewables, recycling and energy conservation? Where is the coherent and well thought through energy strategy and policy around transmission lines?"

The cost of B& B in Scotland is ridiculously expensive and standard of service is very poor in comparison with the norm for North America where most of our overseas visitors may come from. The same is true for the whole of the UK - Why visit Scotland if you have spent a fortune doing London, York and Stratford?
The answer could be Scotland as a gateway to Europe. Stop in Scotland first - it's an hour closer than London - de-stress, get over the jet lag and enjoy. But that scenario cannot work unless we have the transport hub and real top notch quality and value for money in tourist services. If our wages in Scotland are lower than wages in N.America how come our prices for the tourist are perhaps double or more that what you pay in North America? And how come our service is poor - e.g. simple things like ice cream stalls in the park close after the kids go back to school in August yet tourists and good weather are around until September - where is the drive to capture the English Bank holiday weekend breaks? Our heritage and culture are good draws but these are barely accessible unless you pay a fortune or have good local knowledge.

IMO, there are too many people out there who throw their litter about, in town and country, without giving a damn about the consequences. So, yes, we can all play our part to make this country appear more attractive to our guests. First impressions count!

I don't know/am too embarrassed to think what tourists must think of us but I believe it's about time we got serious about spot fines for litter louts. Instead of looking at our own behaviour we'd rather blame someone else e.g. complain about local authorities not providing enough bins etc