Wednesday, April 27, 2005
No Bagpipes and Toads.
Because I appreciate a smile and being treated like a customer who matters, I went to Dundee yesterday to order a new motorcycle. I could have got one up here, but spending upwards of £2,500 in Inverness is not enough to warrant being given anything approaching customer care or service by the toads who are generally employed up here to sell things, whether it's tourist trash, cans of beans or cars and bikes.
So it was off to civilization for the day. After dealing with the bike business we had a kebab, visited friends, did some shopping, and filled the car with petrol for the 130 mile trip home.
Prices compared with the rip-off Highlands? Kebabs a third cheaper - genuine ones, not the crap that Inverness chip shops optimistically describe as "Kebab". Petrol 4 to 7 pence cheaper per litre, CDs for £5.00 instead of £10 - £15.00. Mobile fone charger £1.00 instead of £10.00 or more.
Just a few examples, but all in all, not counting the much higher part exchange price for my old bike and the cost of petrol for a 260 mile round trip, a saving of £60.00 or so on Highland prices.
Plus decent service by helpful and smiling staff, and not a set of screaming, badly played bagpipes or a plastic Loch Ness Monster in sight.
See all recent posts.
So it was off to civilization for the day. After dealing with the bike business we had a kebab, visited friends, did some shopping, and filled the car with petrol for the 130 mile trip home.
Prices compared with the rip-off Highlands? Kebabs a third cheaper - genuine ones, not the crap that Inverness chip shops optimistically describe as "Kebab". Petrol 4 to 7 pence cheaper per litre, CDs for £5.00 instead of £10 - £15.00. Mobile fone charger £1.00 instead of £10.00 or more.
Just a few examples, but all in all, not counting the much higher part exchange price for my old bike and the cost of petrol for a 260 mile round trip, a saving of £60.00 or so on Highland prices.
Plus decent service by helpful and smiling staff, and not a set of screaming, badly played bagpipes or a plastic Loch Ness Monster in sight.
See all recent posts.
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Re No Bagpipes and Toads
As a Scot living in Australia I read with some interest, and no small amount of empathy, your interpretation of Highland country life, and the resultant expense incurred. It seems to me, that this is a universal topic. Governments all over the World have the rural populace “by the balls” regarding to fuel prices. Ironically, while the politicians advocate we make greater use of public transport. Fuel prices in the cities, where this facility is eminently accessible, remain considerably lower than in rural areas, where there is no such alternative. Surely, this can only be coincidence? I can’t believe that the ruling bodies are using this as a vehicle to increase revenue. Or, are they?
With regard to your comment on the unhelpfulness of the indigenous Highland, particularly, West Coast & Invernessian retailing and Hotel staff, I do, sadly, recognise that they are exclusively appalling. Their determination not to help is astounding. I have travelled the world a reasonable amount, and have never found anything approaching the aggressive and uncooperative attitude of the previously mentioned individuals. From Malaysia to Greece I have found people nothing but accommodating and helpful. Wake up time for Highland Scotland! What ever happened to the Highland hospitality of my youth? Sorry for banging on but, I stopped quicker than I thought I would. Excellent blog Colin.
Regards,
Entibuli.
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As a Scot living in Australia I read with some interest, and no small amount of empathy, your interpretation of Highland country life, and the resultant expense incurred. It seems to me, that this is a universal topic. Governments all over the World have the rural populace “by the balls” regarding to fuel prices. Ironically, while the politicians advocate we make greater use of public transport. Fuel prices in the cities, where this facility is eminently accessible, remain considerably lower than in rural areas, where there is no such alternative. Surely, this can only be coincidence? I can’t believe that the ruling bodies are using this as a vehicle to increase revenue. Or, are they?
With regard to your comment on the unhelpfulness of the indigenous Highland, particularly, West Coast & Invernessian retailing and Hotel staff, I do, sadly, recognise that they are exclusively appalling. Their determination not to help is astounding. I have travelled the world a reasonable amount, and have never found anything approaching the aggressive and uncooperative attitude of the previously mentioned individuals. From Malaysia to Greece I have found people nothing but accommodating and helpful. Wake up time for Highland Scotland! What ever happened to the Highland hospitality of my youth? Sorry for banging on but, I stopped quicker than I thought I would. Excellent blog Colin.
Regards,
Entibuli.
# posted by 
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: 5:16 AM
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