The president of the Scottish Tartan Authority has hit out at the tourist tat shops spoiling the character of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, claiming that it resembles an eastern bazaar. He believes that tourists are being misled by £20 acrylic skirts masquarading as kilts. He believes that the Royal Mile should epitomise a quality ethos in this historic World Heritage Site.

Well you could argue it is down to market forces, these shops can only survive if they can make a profit Could Edinburgh City Council or the Scottish parliament only allow “quality” shops in the Royal Mile? I am glad that at least issues like these are being discussed as I blogged about the the Champs Elysees recently. I always feel that many beautiful locations are spoiled by cheap commercialism and have wondered if anything would or could ever be done about it. I have to say that Venice is one of the worst examples I have visited. It is such a beautiful city overun every street bulging with tourist tat.