Scotland is working on its image

The three summer showcase events taking place this week will provide both a test and an opportunity for the tourism industry.

But how will it measure up?

In 2000, the executive published a new framework for the industry aimed at making the quality of service in our hotels, restaurants and B&B's match the stunning landscape.

This week BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme will talk to the man behind the tourism strategy, former first minister Henry McLeish.

But has it worked? We asked about your experiences while staying in Scotland. Have they been Fawlty Towers or five star. To contact the programme directly, e-mail [email protected].

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:

I love Scotland!! I have always had excellent experiences while there. I would love to live there.
Michelle Gilleland, Seattle, WA. U.S.A.

All that is good, and all that is bad. Fantastic scenery, great pubs, some fantastic culture. Unfortunately on the other side of the coin I have encountered strong anti-English feeling, some of the worst food I've ever eaten, the entire world population of midges, and let's face it - the weather!
John, England

Having lived and come back to Scotland to visit you really have to pick and choose where you want to stay, eat and see. I have had many good and some bad experiences, but having travelled the world, it's much the same. Especially here in Bermuda which is very polished on top but has a lot of manure under the surface.
Craig Stark, Nairn now Bermuda

I believe if you look up "Scottish tourism" in a dictionary it says "a joke".
Leon Lumsden, Elgin, Scotland

I have visited Scotland a number of times, I enjoy the people, the scenery and hospitality. Prices are a bit high in restaurants, and hotels, so Scotland in not a "cheap vacation" when compared to other destinations. But I always enjoy the visit
John Rice, Toronto, Ontario Canada

Myself, my partner and seven friends have just returned from a week's holiday just outside Fort William. We thought that we got as good value for money as we have anywhere else in the UK. There was plenty to do and being keen hillwalkers, great mountains and scenery. The one downside is that it would have been nice not to bother hiring a car but local public transport is so thin on the ground, a hire car was essential.
Chris Turner, Surbiton, UK

Scotland is just "brill". We stayed overnight one Saturday in Pitlochry last year. So relaxing - felt like we'd been away for ages! Ace scenery, lovely people and fantastic little cottage-based restaurant/bistro where they served fresh local produce - excellent menu and ambience. Seek and ye shall find!!!!
Fiona, Forfar

As someone whose job takes them all the over the world promoting Scotland - and speaking to many people in the process - I find there are far more positives than negatives. People who look upon their experiences with fondness, who come back year after year and wax lyrical about their visits. If there is a problem it is that we Scots do not realise what a wonderful asset we have on our doorstep. Of course we can all relate to the occasional bad experience, and OK the service is not always 'five star' but like the football manager who cannot put a successful winning team on the pitch without the full backing from the boardroom to the ground staff, let us all start taking responsibility and get behind the team. It is not only hotel and bar staff who come into contact with tourists. We are all integral parts of the tourist trade, so lets start taking responsibility and welcome every visitor we meet. There are no better ambassadors!
Graham, Perth

My wife and I went to Scotland last year on business and took a few extra days vacation. To sum it up, the large cities have a lot of problems like crime, litter and high prices, but the small towns and countryside were nice and relatively inexpensive. If the large cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh were cleaned up priced right and had better security it would have been perfect.
David, Ohio, USA

I spent two weeks in Scotland last July (2003). I spent three nights on Skye, seven night on Harris and Lewis. The B&B's I stayed at were just great! Great breakfasts and friendly hosts was the norm. I plan on coming back to Scotland next year!
Rich Eder, Sparks, Md USA

Picture this - Sunday afternoon, 2.15pm in early July, in Melrose in the Scottish Borders, overflowing with people - the tourist information office CLOSED at 2.00pm!
Fiona Middler, Dalry, Scotland

Great, so long as you don't want to visit any attraction later than 5pm. European galleries are open late, why not ours?
David Conway

I am a Scot living in Canada and quite frankly I cannot wait to go home. In response to the comments made from the Baltimore native...has he ever been to Scotland? Listening to some of the comments I have heard here in North America people are very critical of Scotland until you ask them if they have been?! When in fact none of them have been! Scotland is home to me, yes there are bad areas but every country has bad areas. Scotland is a land that is rich in history and untouched natural beauty that should be appreciated.
M, Ardrossam, Ayrshire

Well, I was planning a week there soon but after reading a lot of the comments here I get the impression I'd do better to head south instead. As for the windfarm issue, the sooner these things are abandoned the better. Other ways have to be found without destroying the countryside with these monstrosities.
Gary, Yorkshire, England

My partner and I visited Scotland a few weeks ago. The place is beautiful but Inverness was dirty, the service we received in one place was awful and we couldn't get a meal anywhere after 9 o'clock, not even at the hotel we were staying in. One night we couldn't have a desert because the chef had gone home at 21.30. I also found that many Scots became openly hostile once they realised that we were Southerners. Scotland was always the place I wanted to live more than anywhere in the world. Not anymore.
Sally , Hurstpierpoint West Sussex

It is extortionate to holiday in Scotland, I'd recommend going somewhere else. As soon as your holiday starts the leeches are out to milk you for every penny they can get. "Come to Scotland and get ripped off." Nice message!
Robert, Glasgow

The service in Scotland is dreadful. Over here in Florida people are proud to work in the service industry and treat their customers with respect. Some of the experiences I have had with tartan skirted Heathers in Scotland has been awful. Scottish tearooms clad in Claymores and hostile waitresses are my idea of a Caledonian hell. Add to that the horizontal rain and the small town neds hanging out at the chippie, it's a poor poor welcome for the unexpecting tourist. Give me Florida anytime.
Graham, Florida USA

In response to the comment about wind farms - a 2002 Mori poll regarding wind farms in the Argyll area suggested 80% of tourists would be interested in visiting a wind farm that was open to the public. Perhaps we should be encouraging these alternative tourist attractions and trying to move away from the Celtic cringe-worthy tartan and bagpipes that visitors normally associate with Scotland.
David, Livingston, Scotland

After living in Scotland for two years and England for two years, then returning to Canada, I'd say that everything about Scotland's scenery and tourism make it a dream come true for any traveller!
Gary Bradi, Oshawa, ON Canada

What is it about holiday accommodation and showers? We just don't seem to be able to provide decent showers. If we want to encourage people to see Scotland as a destination for activity holidays we need to ensure that a good shower is available at the end of a strenuous day's activities.
Roderick Duncan, Dunfermline, Scotland

I had been thinking of visiting Scotland in the near future. After reading people's comments here I think I had better re-think this. Thanks for all of the honest comments.
Angie, New Hampshire, USA

How can we encourage visitors to return to Scotland? Get rid of the Highland midge!
Jon, Leeds, UK

Shake up VisitScotland for a start. I'm still waiting for a response from them a week after trying (twice) to book accommodation through their website. Useless.
James, Glasgow

I visited Scotland in 2003. I found the trains to be on time, the scenery magnificent, the people very friendly. Don't change a thing. I'll be back!
Paul Hollingsworth, Bath, Maine, USA

If you want the best scenery and people...go to Lewis in the Outer Hebrides
SM, Dunfermline, Fife

Scotland needs to offer an alternative tourist industry to the traditional Highlands and loch scenery. Edinburgh and Glasgow are two of the most beautiful cosmopolitan cities in Europe. It's about time we started publicising that too!
Gregor McIntyre, Essex, England

A friend of mine has spent months planning both a trip for a group of enthusiasts and a holiday in the Highlands for herself and partner. Both exercises threw up some of the worst aspects of tourism in Scotland - in most cases either the phone didn't answer, or when it did she was met with polite to downright rude dismissal. She felt as though no-one wanted her custom. The final straw for her came at a restaurant when she tried to organise a meal for fifteen people - "Oh we don't want that kind of business" was the owner's response. If that is how frustrating it can be for a local TRYING to give tourism in Scotland some custom, how do tourists feel? Perhaps Fawlty Towers should have been located here - at least we would have tourism that matched the expectation!
Bruce, Scotland

I think Scotland has a lot to offer tourists and natives alike. I spent last weekend camping in Glencoe in the pouring rain getting eaten by midges, but it was still worth it! More to the point, two out of three people in the pub were tourists, so it shows that even the weather can't deter them from coming. People want to come here, but I think we need to look at the service we provide and the level of publicity our tourism structure gets.
Alan , Glasgow

I have visited Scotland every year for 20 years. The beauty lies in the fact that very little is going on. Be careful how many people you attract. Crowds will kill the golden goose.
Alex, Essex, Ct USA

I holidayed in Scotland for years when I was younger, however there's no way on earth I'd holiday there now! Way too expensive and the accommodation isn't up to much. People don't like us either, much preferring the big spending Americans. I'd rather spend my hard earned cash on a retail therapy day trip to Edinburgh than waste money on rubbish accommodation!
Liz

We have to stop the tourist 'rip off' culture that prevails in this country. The assumption is that 'all' tourists have bucket loads of money to spend. I stay near the Falkirk Wheel and had to pay �1.60 for an ice cream cone with a 99 flake in it! Come on. The point is that when they try and get away with it at this level then there are no boundaries. The Scots should not be discouraged from touring their own country. We have a fabulous country and we should all be able to enjoy it.
Adrian Waddell, Falkirk

I holiday in Scotland at least twice a year. Every time without exception, the Scottish people have been always welcoming, charming and helpful - I can't fault them!! Scotland should be very proud of its people and heritage - the countryside, especially Grampians and Inverness-shire/Moray-shire, is truly stunning and should be encouraged to be as interference-free as possible.
Christopher Jones, Oldham, Lancashire

Scotland has great scenery, history and loads of potential. However, poor food, non-existent service and over-priced everything has scratched it from plans for any future visits for me or my family. I think I'd only ever go back to let them experience life in the 'Dark Ages'. It's hard to believe that a part of Europe can have such a Third World standard of living.
Eric Walmsley, Baltimore, MD, USA

Scotland has wonderful scenery, history and culture, so if you are looking for synthetic holidays maybe Scotland will disappoint. It never fails to surprise me how so many people go to other countries just to live as they do at home. Mind you, I see other countries through the eyes of a traveller not a "tourist".
Kevin Michie, Aberdeen

Why should tourists (and locals) be ripped off with the high entry charges to our national monuments (yes our national monuments, not that quango Scottish Heritage's). The prices charged are extortionate and elitist. Better to get three people in at �5 than only one at �10!
Colin, Angus

I love Scotland and head to the hills every weekend, and usually stay a night at least. The scenery is superb, the nature is superb, and the activities available are superb. On the whole though the service could be improved dramatically. At the Fort William World Cup mountain biking stage it was showing its doors to the world and launched itself as the Outdoors Capital of the UK (tm!)... the event didn't finish on Saturday until 7pm, by the time you had a quick shower and out, more than half the places tried were closed for food just after 9pm. The event was superb, but what a letdown for Scotland on the world stage!
Darren Craig, Edinburgh, Scotland

I have recently returned to live in Scotland after many years living in England. Rediscovering Scotland I notice that too many places where tourists are likely to go are overpriced. While we need an income from tourists we want them to come back again, and not feel that they have been 'ripped off'. It's a fine balance I know, but many places have got it wrong, I have met many overseas visitors who feel this way.
Archie Yates, Alloa, Scotland

Quality of service could be improved, but that is more to do with the management of individual sites. If anything needs to change it should be that, and that alone. Leave the rest untouched - it's part of Scotland's culture. Tamper with that and you're in dangerous waters.
Nikki, Fife

I have travelled extensively in Scotland. From Edinburgh's InterContinental The George to Shawbost's Eilean Fraoich campsite to a reclining chair in the lounge on board P&O's St Clair - while the level of luxury varies, the level of comfort, courtesy and friendliness varies little. Of course, through the years I have encountered a few rude folks, a few inflexible hosts, a few less than immaculate accommodations, but none of these in a quantity or severity greater than what I might run into travelling here in Canada. To be honest, when I travel I have more important, more entertaining things on my mind than early closings, scarce public toilets and litter. Those complaining about such things have very limited world experience, I think.
Ruthanne Urquhart, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I've just had relatives visiting from the US and although they love the Highlands they commented on how dirty the towns were with litter everywhere. Even on some of the country roads there was a lot of litter about, obviously dumped from cars. This was very disappointing as the scenery is beautiful. It's time to start fining these litterbugs as a deterrent. The only other issue we had was the quality of the food in some establishments, we were served rotten fish, putrid coffee and stale cake - all for premium prices.
Robbie, Edinburgh

I made close to 10 summer holidays in Scotland, I love it there. But it's getting overly expensive. Even disregarding the cost of crossing the North Sea, two weeks on Scottish hotels in the two star (AA) range buys you three star to four star luxury hotels in France for the same duration. It discouraged me to go the last few years...
Eric van Ommen, Maastricht, Netherlands

Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and yet too often I have had to accept poor quality food and accommodation at very high prices. Caf� owners are often unfriendly (I was asked to leave a caf� in Aviemore apparently for not ordering enough food. I'd eaten my scone and was having to wait for 20 minutes to use the single toilet they had). There are some gems out there, but for every good place there are a dozen bad ones.
Jane, Edinburgh

Some of these comments confuse me. Surely the point of going up north is to escape it all - I've stayed in campsites on the Moray Firth with only one toilet and only a part time shop (which served the whole village) but I wouldn't change it - the people were friendly, the scenery was breathtaking and the reason I went there was not to sample the great five star hotels and restaurants - it was to see the dolphins, walk along beaches and cliffs and to experience a bit of peace and quiet from the busy cities. All the complaints about the travel infrastructure - if people can cope with living their lives like that, surely the tourists can cope with it when they visit for a day or two days. It's unfeasible to expect 15 minute bus services in the Highlands and Islands for only a few months each year. Get off your bums and walk! Hire a taxi! Cycle! Experience the peace, quiet, calm and lack of road rage/timetable rage!
Alison, Edinburgh, Scotland

Bad service and unhelpful people, I think not. Being a Dutch native living in Glasgow I regularly get family visiting. Last year my aunt and uncle visited in their campervan. Unfortunately they bashed one of the outside mirrors of their camper and after checking with a few garages were referred to a local glass cutter (somewhere in the Dundee area). He made them a piece of mirror to measure which he helped them glue onto the plastic casing. Charge: nothing at all. On the same holiday my uncle left his bag in a Glasgow TOA taxi after a lovely meal in the West End of Glasgow. After a phone call to TOA, the taxi driver appeared at the door, past midnight, with the lost bag. As long as we have decent individuals like these two, I think we're doing good.
Pieter Rosenthal, Glasgow

You have lovely people, beautiful countryside and sea ways, yet getting the ferry to Arran going through Adrossan is like entering a war zone. It's run down, dilapidated and very sad. Surely the residents there deserve better let alone the tourists.
Angie, Newcastle, UK

My wife and I just returned from a three week driving tour of Scotland between the Borders and Inverness and over to Skye and Mull. We did a lot of preparation work and had visited Scotland several times before so I had no unreal expectations about availability of any necessaries. We had a marvellous time and at all the "tourist" spots everyone was gracious and willing to answer questions. I am reluctant to go to England because it is overly tourist oriented. If I were to have a complaint it would be the cost of visiting Scotland, of course, part of that is the unfavourable US-UK exchange rate. I hope Scotland stays the way it is, untouched by excess tourism and commercialism.
David N VanMeter, Hilliard, OH, USA

I've been on a long-weekend break to Scotland once - Edinburgh and Oban. Prices were high, hotels were average, scenery was nice. Car was vandalised in Edinburgh which I've since found out is quite common for cars with any English markings. Overall, I doubt I'll ever bother to visit again.
Elliot, London, UK

My girlfriend and I often have a holiday back in Scotland... but it's becoming harder as Scotland is simply so expensive. I mean �40 for a B&B for two people a night... and the heating didn't work. Bear in mind that we could have gone to Spain for less than half the price!
Garry, Germany

As with all matters, if people who understand the issues are left to solve them, then all will be fine. However, if it gets left to the politicians...
Geoff Hirst, Scotland

Better roads and trains north of the central belt. Scotland has a lot to offer but does not make it easy to get there, with the right infrastructure of more multi-lane roads (who likes spending time behind caravans) and nice big hotels nestled into a beautiful loch-side locations offering water sports, forest cycle tracks and organised bus day-tours we could be the play-ground of Western Europe. But then again...
Andrew Heywood, Dunbar

The failure to fund such visitor sites as the Kilmartin House Museum in Argyll are a clear demonstration of the problems Scottish tourism has. If there's nothing to do or see, then no-one will come to stay or buy anything. Also, like England, too much funding and support is poured into the capital.
Al, W'Ton, UK

If the Scottish Executive is so committed to improving tourism, then perhaps they should actively do something rather than talk about it. The only direct involvement I've seen from them was when Jack McConnell sabotaged the Scottish bid to host the European Championships. You only need to look to Portugal to see the potential benefits we have let slip through our fingers. Perhaps being on the world stage is a wee bit too ambitious for what is nothing more than a jumped up Scottish office that wouldn't sell a tin of shortbread without Westminster permission.
Graeme, Paisley, Scotland

If you take the poor food, the anti-English attitudes and foul weather away it's a great place.
Ian, York

My wife and I love Scotland and try to visit every few years. We avoid the central zones and head north. Last visit we toured the Orkneys, an area we will return to soon. We enjoy the low density areas the best. Prices are high for us, particularly due to the exchange rate, but the people are wonderful and the food choices even in remote areas have improved. But we think Scotland is our preferred destination.
William Stauffer, Allentown USA

I holiday with my family in Scotland every year, on short breaks and our main holiday, and while there are rightly some concerns as regards product and service quality I think it is only fair to acknowledge that there are some real "stars" in our country - some very enterprising and dedicated businesses, organisations and individuals who should be commended for their efforts. Our holiday in Argyll this year was a real pleasure (even with some dismal weather) and we found no shortage of good quality eating places, attractions and things to do. The number of businesses and attractions now focused on wildlife and the natural heritage in that area was really quite impressive. We also managed our first visit to Mull and based on our experience would certainly like to go back there in the future.
Alan, Perthshire

Peter Salisbury says that 29% of tourists won't return to an area with windfarms. How many won't return to an area with a nuclear or coal-fired power station? How many will return to country that has constant powercuts because it can't make enough electricity? Scotland is for the Scots first and visitors second.
Peter (Scot ex-pat), Nottingham

I like to visit places further north, but get so frustrated to find almost everything closes early! If one is on holiday, or out for the day, one does NOT want to end the day at tea-time. I want to see as much as I can and it is not always convenient to return to a venue on another day. If I, a Scot, feel that way, how many tourists feel the same?
Margaret Welsh, Leven, Fife

I have visited Scotland many times, in particular Grampian and Highlands. The beauty of this part of Scotland is the lack of infrastructure and man's non-interference with nature. Leave it that way!
Steven Kahn, London

We just don't have a service culture in Scotland. Whilst there are a few wee diamonds in terms of quality and service to tourists, they are hidden in a heap of dross. A biker friend of mine and his friend (both Danish) who were on a UK biking holiday were refused service in a west coast bar. The hotel/bar apparently didn't serve bikers! What sort of nonsense is that? Frank and friend are both in their late 40s, one a doctor, the other a teacher and not exactly a pair of Hell's Angels. Just as well they are both heterosexual, who knows what would have happened otherwise!
Duncan , Glasgow

If the weather doesn't put tourists off then the poor service will. Accommodation over-priced, impossible to get a meal outwith core lunch and dinner hours. Businesses designed to suit needs of owner and not the consumer. We do ourselves no favours!
Shirley Fletcher, Edinburgh, Scotland

Tourists welcome to Loch Lomond! Sure, as long as they don't have to "spend a penny". In its infinite wisdom, the council has closed all public toilets, to save money. They expect 3.5 million tourists to the area this year, Balloch park is getting well manured. Oh, and the pubs won't let you use their toilets unless you buy a drink! Something that was made illegal in England a few years back. Never mind crossing your fingers about the weather, rather just keep your legs crossed instead.
Joe, Balloch, Scotland

My wife and myself have been visiting the Highlands for the last eight years and have always found a warm welcome and accommodation first class
Barru Williamson, Bicester, England

Why are the Scots so negative about their tourism industry? We have fantastic scenery, clear air, wonderful light and the warmest welcome in the world. Start talking it up!
Barbara, Edinburgh

When you have places as beautiful as the Cairngorms, you don't need to work on the image - the scenery says it for you.
Helen Jenkins, Wales

Scotland is magic. At the weekend me and a few friends were in Applecross at a BRILLIANT wee restaurant in fantastic scenery. Then at night, we found a music session in the Loch Duich Hotel with local musicians. They were really good. The weather wasn't great but then you don't go up north for the weather. It's just a great chill out. Folk who slag off Scotland don't know what it has to offer and read and believe too much rubbish about poor service stories. In general, it's getting better and there are loads of really GREAT places to eat, drink and be merry. And stuff T in the Park. Too many people there. Scotland is about wide open spaces and being FREE from other people.
Andy Reid, Glasgow, Bonnie Scotland

I love travelling around Scotland, but don't have a car, and public transport needs to be vastly improved - especially on the islands. I went to Mull last year and when my family and I arrived off the boat there was only one public bus available yet loads of people were looking to catch one to Tobermory. It was the height of the season and Tourist Info said they were only every two hours. I've travelled all over the world including third world countries and there bus services are plentiful, More buses less cars, makes sense to me.
Jean Pedder, Stirling, Scotland

I have visited Scotland many times and feel it is one of the most beautiful places on earth; the people are truly wonderful.
Ann Bailey, Atlanta, GA, USA

I believe Scotland does not provide a world class tourist service. Too often, the people who work in the industry have a "you are a nuisance, please go away" attitude towards customers. Although Scotland has a large tourist industry, we do not attempt to progress with tourist demands, eg, keeping attractions, restaurants and public facilities open on Sundays and late at nights. We do not invest enough in upgrading our facilities to continue to attract more tourists. For me, it's definitely a thumbs down for Scotland's tourist industry.
Andy McManus, East Calder

Industry needs to modernise. The industry follows the trends of the central belt: generally ignorant of our natural and cultural heritage and the resources we have. There is a lot more to Scotland than bashing a wee white ball round some grass!
Donald, Oban

Scottish Tourist Boards survey showed 29% of visitors will not return to an area which has wind farms - so why is the Scottish Executive doing its best to get the things all over the country - someone's a wee bit dim I think?
Peter Salisbury, Thurso, Scotland

How can we "help attract visitors to Scotland" when we have extortionate prices, poor service, pitiful public transport, and dismal weather? It comes as no surprise that the tourism industry is suffering, as word gets around the world that Scotland is really just some nice scenery, with not much else to go for it.
Kyle Gordon, Glasgow

I visited Girvan and other Ayrshire coast towns and villages a couple of weeks ago - they were closed. Until we drag ourselves into the 21st century, we'll always be a backwater as far as tourists are concerned. I'm not even going to start on things like litter, graffiti and vandalism which seem to be all too prevalent everywhere.
Brian McCaig, Paisley, Scotland

Compared to North America and Europe the vast majority of our tourist industry can be defined by poor service, crap food, over-priced, minging hotels and blighted by poor public transport so you have to take your car and pay the high fuel prices. Why spend loads of money for a mediocre time in Scotland when you can get better abroad for half the price. Try and be a tourist and get a game of golf at the weekend and see how easy it is (not) and see how expensive it is!
Neil Brown, Aberdeen, Scotland

I have lived and worked in Scotland for many years and now that I live in England I have revisited Scotland many times. However, I have noticed how the quality of accommodation, camp sites have gone down and the prices gone up. Hotels and guest houses that don't want to accommodate children or don't offer simple facilities such as TV or a kettle. For such a lovely country with fantastic scenery it is a shame.
P Thompson, Preston