Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 19 on 20/3/2005.

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Letters to the Editor

IN OUR LAST ISSUE WE DEFENDED SCOTS HOTEL STAFF AGAINST THE CHARGE OF BEING DOUR AND RUDE. WE GOT A RECORD MAILBOX. HERE’S PART OF IT

After reading your comments in the March 2005 issue I felt I had to comment. You are absolutely correct. Scottish hoteliers are the kindest people in the business. As Americans, we spent a wonderful two weeks in Scotland last summer on vacation.

On our next to last day, we left Kyle of Lochlash in the Highlands and drove to Dumfries (a 12 hour drive) where we hoped to find a B&B or hotel to stay for the night. We planned to attend a Jousting Festival at Caeverlock Castle the next day. We arrived at Dumfries to discover a car rally was being held there and all the hotels and B&Bs were booked. We were tired and needed a place to stay.

We looked in vain for three hours for a room. We arrived in Sanquhar at 11:00 in the evening after being on the road for 15 hours.

We were tired and grumpy and pulled into the Blackaddie Hotel very discouraged. We knew they wouldn’t have a room, but it was worth a try.

The hotel owner or manager took one look at my face and told me that they had a cottage but the washer was going with a load of towels. Would that offend us?

He then offered us the two-bedroom condo for the same price as a hotel room and threw in three full breakfasts. We feel in love.

The cottage was clean and in a lovely spot and the staff were kindness personified. Scotland is a beautiful country with such people as those at the Blackaddie who took pity on some tired Americans and provided us with a wonderful end to our vacation including close proximity to the castle where.....

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By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Letters to the Editor

Page number : 12