I just sent this off:


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


It has been brought to my attention at the end of January, Mr. Kerr Matthews, who works at the VisitScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Network Office, made negative and derogatory comments about American tourists and people who wear kilts, to a group of tourists in the VisitScotland office. He did this while in his capacity of a representative of VisitScotland. A letter of complaint was sent to the VisitScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Network Office asking for an apology and it has been ignored. This is unacceptable.

As a kilt wearer and someone inclined to visit Scotland on holiday. I am some what shocked and appalled that a representative of VisitScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Network Office would have the audacity to make personal insulting comments about Americans or people who wear kilts.

Both Mr. Matthews’ statements and the fact that VisitScotland ignored the letter of complaint do not leave me with a positive impression of VisitScotland. I have made many trips to the UK and Scotland and have meet many nice people in your countries and would hope the continue to do so.

I live in a Tourist town (Park City,Ut. 2002 Olympics )and understand that some times the tourist get a little difficult but to be rude to their face and at the same time make a derogatory remark about an owner of one of Dumfries business is a bit much. As a Kilt wearer and Small business owner I wear my kilt as respect to my Grandfather (Robert Wallace IV) and an advertising gimmick so people and clients remember me. I might add it seems Mr. Kerr Matthews remembered Mr. Robertson Wellen.

If there is anything you can do to influence the VisitScotland, Dumfries & Galloway Network Office to do the right thing and apologize, please do.

Business Owner and Tourist,
Mr. Bill Edwards
PO Box 1135
Park City, Ut. USA 84060


cc. sent to malcolm.roughead@visitscotland.com,d...itscotland.com

MrBill Edwards <mbhandy@allwest.