Your story and editorial on the falling numbers at heritage sites across Scotland reveal officially for the first time what has concerned some of us for years. This awful summer's weather, and the credit crunch are not valid excuses when much rural tourism has been in decline for almost a decade.

Despite large sums of taxpayers' money spent on events and marketing, there is a sad downturn at important attractions, as far apart as Caerlaverock and Fort George, of up to 19% visitors. That overall drop feeds back through hotels, B&Bs, shops, restaurants and garages as declining incomes. A continued slide would put more small enterprises at risk.

There are multiple reasons apart from entrance charges and rain. Over-centralised marketing in cities means little effort is spared to send the tourist in a rural, and perhaps heritage, direction.

Low-cost flights focus the three-day visitors' attention on the city attractions. Non-membership of the euro deters some continental tourists, while the high pound/low dollar puts off all but the wealthier North American. The "London is Britain" focus of Heathrow/Gatwick as our major international gateway means few but the brave venture north of Stratford-upon-Avon. Many Scottish heritage sites achieve once-only visits, while high fuel costs deter motoring to our more distant properties.

However, by continued development the New Lanark World Heritage site has bucked the trend this year. We are seeing a 2% numbers increase (like Skara Brae but without the cruise ships).

One benefit may follow your coverage - namely a reality check on tourism numbers, and on the true cost of maintaining our important national heritage. We need to be aware that heritage cannot be purchased at a discount price, and that better targeting and direction could help bring back missing visitors.

There are probably 25 million in England who have never crossed the border. Ten times that number in northern Europe have little clue about us apart from our playing of football, and wouldn't know how to get here.

It has always been strange to me why we put so much effort into trying to get North Americans to travel thousands of miles to come here when Europe is on our doorstep. Last week's news about North Sea ferry services was most welcome.

Hiding from the truth with over-hyped statistics, or massaged tourism figures, would never allow us realistically to tackle the problems and opportunities of international tourism. This reality check means we should think through our difficulties to allow us to build again.

Hopefully we can bring our small nation's fascinating history to increasing numbers. After all, they help pay the bills.

Arthur J A Bell, Chairman, New Lanark Trust, Newholm of Culter, Coulter, Biggar.