Behaviour was a disgrace

Sir, - I had the grave misfortune to be travelling on the last train from Edinburgh to Dundee on Saturday last, along with a first-time visitor to Scotland.

The train was packed to capacity and there was standing room only.

This was bad enough in iteslf but what was much worse was the appalling behaviour of fellow travellers.

Most appeared to be considerably the worse for wear through, presumably, alcohol.

While drunks may be tolerated, the language used in top-of-the-voice communication between groups of travellers was nothong short of utterly despicable.

The noise levels were, by any decent standard, beyond acceptable.

Brought up to believe in the disciplined conduct of people in the UK, my companion was understandably extrememly shocked and distressed.

It was interesting to note that, throughout the entire duration of the journey, no one from Scotrail was anywhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, the people engaged in the loutish behaviour were not, as one might imagine, only male adolescents.

Rather, they included drunken, young and middle-aged females.

Is this what has become of society in Scotland ?

A drunken rabble uncaring for other travellers and simply concerned with utterly selfish behaviour?

If so, it speaks volumes about the declining standards of parenting and education in Scotland.

It is, sad to say, most definitely a negative pointer in matters of foreign understanding.

Nor does it bode well for potential future investment in our society — something that should concern all rightthinking Scots. Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.