On a recent mini-break to Kenmore, I purchased a copy of Comment and was amazed and appalled to read the article “Killing Kenmore in the Name of Tourism.” I have been visiting Kenmore on and off since the late sixties mostly in self-catering properties and I have watched with interest as Kenmore grew and developed, as have all tourist areas worldwide.

In the sixties and seventies peoples expectations were very different. A self catering cottage had a different meaning. You brought your own linen of course; there was heating (not central!) an adequate supply of kitchen utensils, and furniture that had probably belonged to someone else, and a well worn carpet. Never did I stay in a damp cottage, perhaps I was just lucky!

That was THEN. I certainly would not want or expect that standard to be on offer now! As the Country pulled itself up from the recession following the war years we all became used to certain “luxuries”. It was a real pleasure not to have to pack linen or bring your own better quality saucepans!

Today I can pick a cottage to suit me and my travelling companions. In Kenmore and area I know I can book a superb luxury cottage or a more simple “farm cottage” and in either case it will be what I expect to pay and the standard will be high. (The owners WANT the bookings!)

I wonder has the author of the article travelled much in the developed world. Tourism is big business everywhere. To succeed you must provide what people now want. In France and Italy, for instance, the beautiful old villages are largely preserved and just outside their boundaries are the hotels and tourist accommodation. I observed that Kenmore was doing just that.