WHATEVER you may think of author Neil Gaiman’s dash to Skye to self-isolate, there is a grudging degree of respect due for his sheer audacity.

The American Gods writer, fed up with life under lockdown in New Zealand, decided it would be  perfectly acceptable to travel 11,000 miles to his home on Skye instead,.

What is really impressive is that he boarded a flight in Auckland to Los Angeles, changed there for an onward connection to London before borrowing a mates' car and driving north.

Despite all three countries being in lockdown, he managed to make the trip without being stopped and asked where he was going and why.

This wasn't a short journey to visit an elderly relative, Mr Gaiman virtually circumnavigated the globe for a bit of peace and quiet.

To compound things, he then admitted he needed a bit of space away from his wife.

Now there are marital tiffs and then there is this.

It must have been a pretty big sulk to justify in his head that it merited and an 11,000 mile journey.

He. of course, apologised for his stupidity but he was rightly widely condemned.

However, the concern that was raised, while legitimate, was also tinged with what appears to be a growing anti-English visitor trend amongst some in the country.

As ever, it is a very small minority at fault, but as soon as Boris Johnson sort-of announced changes to the lockdown rules in England, the calls went up to demand that English visitors stay away.

The majority of English people have abided by the lockdown just as much as Scots, and are content to enjoy the bit of extra freedom, look to return to work and see family all while remaining vigilant.

However, some in Scotland seemed to think that millions were set to descend across the border en masse to enjoy our scenery and bring the coronavirus with them.

All the comments on social media were aimed solely at the English, with no mention of French, Germans or Spanish all of whom were also freed from lockdown - and with a good deal more freedom too.

Of course, the Highlands and Islands remain closed for business along with rest of the country and visitors, wherever they live, should not travel there until the crisis passes and the lockdown is lifted. 

But demonising one set of visitors over everyone else could have consequences when the country is open again.

I certainly wouldn't visit anywhere which has shown anti-Scottish sentiments, regardless how pretty it is, so some potential English visitors would be justified in deciding not to travel north and go to somewhere like Wales instead. 
 

Having a gentle pop at our neighbours expense is, of course, perfectly legitimate, it's what we Scots do best.

But this should never descend into outright hostility that tarnishes every Scot and makes many in England feel they are not welcome here when the country is open.

The battered tourism sector needs all the visitors they can when lockdown ends and no potential future travellers should be chased away in the meantime.