Guest User
January 31, 2023
This is someone’s experience On Friday, Marc Sieben, Pipe Major with the Castle Pipers from Kreis Heinsberg in Germany arrived in Dumfries to support Dumfries Pipe Band ahead of the 90th Anniversary of Guid Nychburris. Instead of receiving a warm, Doonhammer welcome when he arrived in Dumfries, Marc instead found himself literally on the street, courtesy of the Manager/ owner of the Queensberry Hotel in the town. Owing to a delay in arriving in Dumfries (caused by delays in Calais), Marc was shocked to discover that owner, Daniel Berhane had cancelled Marc’s prepaid booking for four nights and refused to allow Marc into the hotel for the remainder of his booking, telling Marc that if he wanted to stay in the hotel, he would have to re- book and pay AGAIN, with no prospect of any refund. Mark found the outside of the hotel in poor condition and the place was locked up and appeared to be closed for business. Marc contacted a band member who managed to speak to the owner on the phone, to explain the reason from Marc’s late arrival, however, instead of honouring the booking, the owner confirmed that he did not need to and that he was within his rights to keep Marc’s money and cancel the booking. Berharne was urged to reconsider, however, instead repeated that he didn’t need to do anything and invited Marc to rebook and pay for the room again, urging Marc to check his terms and conditions before hanging up. Marc, along with other band members from Germany, also booked into the hotel later in the day, were in Dumfries to help the Town celebrate the weekend. After ringing around several local guest houses and self-catering accommodations, members of the group managed to get into another hotel and Marc was invited to stay at a house in Georgetown for the weekend. Marc and other members of the group have raised a dispute with *********** complaining about the behaviour of Berharne and also the description and photos of the hotel, which appear to depict a working bar. Members of Dumfries Pipe Band thought it was right to share Marc's experience with our followers and fellow Doonhammers.