Tourism jobs

The news that workers from outside Scotland may be needed to fill the “10,000 new jobs a year” to be created in the tourism and hospitality industry (your report, 29 September) is thoroughly bad business for Scotland.

It contrasts starkly with Ireland, where it is most unusual to encounter a waiter, waitress, tour guide or coach driver who is not native Irish. Those are the ambassadors who make a lasting first impression on tourists, and presently Scotland falls spectacularly at this very first hurdle. A guid Scots tongue is a basic requirement for this kind of work and the people who run our tourist industry should get rid of their cringe and cash in on that fact.

Irvine Inglis

Reston

Berwickshire