Born in Scotland and still a resident of that country I have been to Malta many times in the past and have always enjoyed my visit to the island until recently,

I notice many changes and am not impressed with them at all, yet at the same time I note a lack of change and control of some barbaric practices.

The bird shooting. Well, yes, we do have bird sport in Scotland; this is confined to a seasonally controlled and monitored sport, with birds bred for that sport. Take the famous grouse for instance.

Yet at the same time, if kill an osprey or steal their eggs from a nest you would be looking at a period in jail. UK law protects even some bird species that might be considered a pest, such as the rook; you are not allowed to kill a rook by any means. This is control but with a reason and a workable practicality.

Why is it that in Malta (and in particular in Gozo), it seems normal to shoot anything that flies for no reason? In Scotland we have a thriving industry called “clay pigeon shooting”, this satisfying the urge for shooting flying things for the user, cash for the provider and his supplier via providing a tourist attraction for a “harmless to life” sport.

While trimming the hedge in our small garden we often come across a bird’s nest; this is carefully analysed and most often (just in case), we cut around it and leave it in place. At the same time the birds drop excrement on our property, wake us up in the morning, and try to nest inside in our garage. Do we kill them for that? No, we control the latter naturally and accept the former.

The “no smoking” law. This is interesting as it was introduced before the equivalent law in Scotland. It seems to me a sham. I was in several bars in Malta and Gozo where it was flouted and its abuse even (almost) encouraged.

The price of alcohol. Another shock for any British tourist. Arriving at Malta the Duty Free offered me a bottle of Bacardi Rum at around £20. I can buy this at home (even with our high tax) at less than £16. This used to be an island with a realistic and European approach to alcohol and taxes, now apparently it is just a cash collection machine for the government. I am sure sales must reduce at the same level as tax revenue increases.

Road quality and vehicle safety. I have never seen such bad roads and poorly maintained vehicles on them anywhere else in Europe. Please do not confuse this with the many well looked after “old” vehicles in existence here. I applaud their owners. Do the vehicles have to pass any roadworthiness test such as our UK annual MOT test? Some I saw didn’t have working lights.

The timeshare touts. Why is it that they are still allowed to operate so openly and hassle the tourist? Apparently they are even allowed to sell a timeshare property for life of the deed as “within the expected life of the property”, which on Malta effectively means until it falls apart or is sold to a re-developer for a profit.

Lastly, I remember my conversation in a restaurant in Gozo with a local fisherman turned tour boat operator. He was worried about his next season, less and less tourists coming to visit, “look around you” he said “more and more buildings built – they are empty, and look at those old ones falling apart as they wait for something to happen”.

Gordon Allan

West Lothian

Scotland

UK