I am pleased that other people have had good experiences but the level of bad ones is still cause for concern and it appears that Arlen and others have also experienced an inconsistency on different occasions. One can understand it when members of staff are already engaged with other customers but even then, an acknowledgement of your presence (as I always get in Hector Russell) is still possible.

You are well-known to the Edinburgh staff at least Hamish and also known to be acquainted with the family so possibly there might be a "best behaviour" element in your presence. That sort of thing happens in many situations alas.

Much as I might slag off "the opposition" I don't find them sat around twiddling their thumbs and ignoring people.