Surban LIVING
Surban Living Magazine KEM Consulting & Publishing Instagram: @surbanlivingmag
website coming soon
Editor-in-chief Kelly Morris Sub-editors
Arts & Culture James Dixon
THIS ISSUE
Health & Fitness Derek Elder Contributors
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Special thanks
Michelle Bauge (writer) Alan Foster (production) Angela Printezi (design)
HRM Homecare Ltd Microtech Group QTS Group Lanarkshire Law Estate Agents EK Collective The Dainty Strawberry
John Morris Lynn Laughland Chris McMail Les Hoggan Photography All subscribers & Advertisers
Strathaven by Les Hoggan Photography
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Editor's Note
6
House & Home
17
A Visit to Strathaven
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Gillian Cheung
42
Arts & Culture
64
Health & Fitness
69
Business & Stuff
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Little Scholars Nursery “Little Scholars Nursery opened its doors in March 2003 to serve the community of Whitehills and the surrounding areas. With a capacity of 100 children, our 32-member team provides a high-quality service to the families of East Kilbride. We offer a super spacious layout including a kitchen, an indoor pram store and a family room. Our central playroom area is accessible to all children and is used for all sorts of activities such as dancing, parties, and baking. We also have a sensory room to provide children with a calm and relaxed space, and direct access to our garden via the playroom which ensures our kids get outside daily. At Little Scholars, we seek to maintain excellent partnerships with all of our carers—even offering them the opportunity to become directly involved in the nursery by attending our “Tea and a Blether” days where they can forward their own ideas, review policies and procedures, and help organise parents evenings, open nights and fundraising events. We have a clear vision for our children: to support each and every child’s individual needs to allow them to meet their full potential while they’re under our care. Ultimately, we put children at the heart of everything we do and always want them to feel happy, loved and included during their time at Little Scholars.” Ann Marie Kennedy, Manager, Little Scholars Nursery, Scholars Gate, East Kilbride, G75 9JL | tel 01355 900119, info@littlescholars.co.uk
Review I cannot recommend Little Scholars enough. The facilities are fantastic - bright, open, and yet warm and welcoming with lovely gardens and outdoor play areas, but it’s the staff that are the secret sauce here. I have never met so many bright and bubbly personalities in one space. Each and every member of the team genuinely loves working with children - it’s non-stop playing, games, learning, dancing and lots of laughing. Communication with parents is also first class. It really is such an incredible team led by Manager Ann Marie Kennedy who is always bursting with new ideas. I’m delighted Ann Marie has agreed to be our expert contributor and I can’t wait for you to meet her. Kelly Morris, Founder, Surban Living Mag
Surban LIVING Editor’s Note In This Issue
Hi, welcome to Surban Living, your online Lanarkshire lifestyle magazine. Our aim is to connect residents, businesses, charities and communities to help each other ‘get on and do well.’ We do this by promoting people to meet, places to go and stories you should know. Why Surban Living? If you’ve been with us since the beginning, you’ll know we started as EK Lifestyle - a monthly print publication. There’s been a few changes along the way: we’re now a digital and quarterly publication. You can read all about the latest developments in my new business blog towards the end of this issue.
Far more interesting though, is the journey of Nicola (our cover star) from Jackton, whose self-build pipe dream was almost brought to it’s knees by a badger! I’m not kidding. Her home is beautiful, her kitchen is stunning and she is just one of the loveliest people you will ever meet! If you do anything this summer, visit Strathaven Our Place feature this month, is all about beautiful Strathaven. If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark movie and wished we had a beautiful market town where the community got together and did fun stuff, then you must go to Strathaven. As Maureen McKenna (my wee mum) explains in her first ever writing gig, ‘I thought it would be all betting shops, charity shops and empty shops, but I couldn’t have been more wrong, it’s a lovely place with lovely people.’ The weekend of 7/8th June might just be the time to try it for yourself as it’s Gala day. And by Gala day, we don’t mean a wee bit of bunting and a couple of home-made cake stalls, we mean the Strathaven Gala Day with it’s raft race and duck race and a million other things that make it like no other gala you’ve ever been to. Also a certain Taylor Swift is coming to Scotland that weekend, and not every fan managed to get tickets, so a trip to Strathaven could be just the treat that stops a few faces tripping all day long. Meet the team As some of you will recall, the first edition was written mostly by me and I think we were all a bit sick of the sound of my voice by the end of it. I was also exhausted (maybe even a little bit broken).
Kelly Morris Editor in-chief get in touch at editor@surbanliving.co.uk IG @kelly_e_morris or 07906 199625
This issue still has far too much of me, so you’ll be delighted to be introduced to our growing team of subeditors, writers and contributors who will take much more of a leading role in the coming months. From the next edition onwards, I’ll be focusing on business and stuff, sharing useful information for those of you: looking for work, in work, starting up or selling up KM
HOUSE & HOME
I
f your big dream is to buy a plot of land and build your own home, then you probably shouldn’t read any further, as Nicola and Garry’s self-build journey might put you off the idea for life.
Visit their completed build however, and you might just find yourself popping into the garage for a lottery ticket on the way home... Interview & Images: Kelly Morris
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Before we drive into how harrowing the journey was, and how beautiful the house is, let’s introduce you to the couple and tell you how it all started.
Settling down
Bellshill born & bred
Garry was born and raised in Rutherglen with a similar background to Nicola. His dad was an engineer and his mum worked in admin – again both hardworking parents.
Born and bred in Bellshill, Nicola’s upbringing was the same as the vast majority of families in Lanarkshire, “We weren’t wealthy, or anywhere close to it, but my parents were really hard working and we wanted for nothing,” she explains.
Nicola explains, “Garry started his career as an apprentice motor mechanic at one of the large motor dealerships. He worked his way through Sales to his current position of Operations Manager, and he’s still with the same company.”
“My dad was a mechanic, and my mum was a hairdresser - she still is actually, at 74! She’s a real force of nature and still my biggest inspiration in life,” Nicola smiles.
Well that’s a very impressive apprenticeship. “I think it’s because he chose something that he really loves and that he was really good at,” explains Nicola. “I remember him saying he was working under a bonnet one day, when he looked in and saw the salesmen in the showroom with their nice suits on and he thought ‘I’d like a wee bit of that,’ so he asked someone ‘how do I get a Salesman job’ and he literally never looked back.”
After school, Nicola went to Coatbridge College to study Beauty Therapy before embarking on a seven and a half year career with Clarins. From working on the shop floor to joining the Account Development Team, Nicola was selected to spearhead the ‘Clarins Studios’ campaign, launching studios and training teams in department stores UKwide, from Frasers and Jenners to Harrods and Selfridges. It wasn’t long before she found herself in Clarins France doing Advanced National Training including make-up tutorials from some of the world’s best experts. “I loved that job, it really excited me,” Nicola beams. “I was 25 years old, flying to France to do training and coming back to the UK to train the girls. I remember when I got my first company car - I had never had a new car before, never mind a company car, and it had one of those big old-fashioned car phones, like the ones on the Dom Jolly show, and I just I remember thinking at that time, ‘that’s it, I’ve really made it,’ she chuckles. After 7.5 good years, Nicola was recruited by a smaller spa-oriented national skincare company to manage their Scottish territory before becoming the National Sales Manager, covering the UK and Channel Islands. “Gatineau is a French House with a focus on salons, spas and hotels rather than department stores. It’s a really great company and a fantastic brand that often ranks in the top bestsellers on QVC,” she smiles proudly. So, an exciting career move for Nicola with plenty of travel and opportunities. “It really was, and it was just before I took the job with Gatineau that I met Garry.”
First Home in East Kilbride So, we’re forward- winding now, to Nicola and Garry buying their first home in Stewartfield in East Kilbride. “We didn’t know the area but we both loved it and settled really quickly,” Nicola recalls. “We had great jobs, went lots of holidays and had kids much later. And Stewartfield is a great place to raise kids, but we always had this pipe dream of buying land and building our own house.” As luck would have it, they spotted a tiny article in the back of the newspaper about a plot of land in Jackton. “We were trying to find more information about it, but there was nothing, then Garry weirdly discovered the white bungalow beside the land was owned by the grandparents of a boy he worked alongside. That led to us finding out more information and deciding to go for it.” Despite all of the positive ‘signs’ and putting their best bid forward, Nicola and Garry lost out to a property developer with a plan to build four houses. “We were so disappointed that we didn’t get it, so we decided to build an extension on the house in Stewartfield instead, A few years had passed, we had our son, he was a toddler, and I was expecting our daughter when we got a phone call from the council to explain the sale of the land had fallen through.” The council were landowners once again, and they anted to know whether Nicola and Garry were still interested...cont/
“Of course we were interested, but the timing couldn’t haven’t been worse,” Nicola explains. “We’d just spent almost all of our savings on the extension, so we definitely didn’t have as much to offer this time. But, we thought it was worth putting in an offer and it was actually accepted. We honestly couldn’t believe our luck.”
“Yes that was a surprise when the badgers were discovered - one that led to a ten-year negotiation and delay of the house-build.”
The badgers And it didn’t take them long to get things moving, working with architects on the design to put the plans in. And as anyone that’s applied for planning will know, there’s always a fear that there’s bats. “In Scottish Law, you must complete a wildlife survey for bats and if they’re found it can really hinder a project, so we were relieved and delighted when there was no evidence of bats.” But they weren’t out of the woods yet - indeed they were so focused on the bats, no-one explained the implications if badgers are found.
Nicola explains, “When the badgers were first discovered, we worked very closely with the Wildlife Association to do everything possible to protect them. Initially they were trying to find a suitable habitat locally and there were suggestions of the land across the road, but they would probably just try and find their way back which would put them at risk of cars. I think someone also suggested Calderglen, but you’re not actually allowed to move the Badgers, only lead them, and that was too far so the Wildlife Association eventually settled on excavation and building a badger protection den on the plot.”
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Quite the expensive, but worth it, if it keeps the badgers safe and the planning people happy? “Not really, because the badgers didn’t move and we weren’t allowed to move them,” Nicola clarifies, “so we spent the money, built the thing, delayed the house build and we were still no further forward.” Not only were they no further forward, it felt as though they were doing everything that was asked of them and yet there was a relentless desire to delay the build and even a threat to shut it down completely.
“I always wanted a big traditional wooden house with a mix of materials inside that made it feel like a Scottish country lodge and believe it or not, this house is actually built around a vision for the front door,” she smiles. “I’ve had this picture in my phone for years of an entrance that I fell in love with, and we wanted to do something similar but with our own twist, so we included that in the design along with a second dwelling should we ever want to build again in the future.” The big kitchen debate
“The council were just as keen as us to find a solution and move things along, but it honestly felt like no matter what we suggested or did, it was never going to be enough for the WA,” Nicola recalls. “It was all consuming and really stressful.” Take a break The pipe dream was turning into an extortionate ten year nightmare. “It was tough. Garry’s dad also passed around this time and we just lost the appetite for the build. So many times we felt like walking away,” Nicola admits “but we couldn’t, we had spent so much money that it wasn’t an option, so we could do was take breaks away from it.” However there was another challenge simmering in the background. Five years had passed since their planning designs had been approved, which in Scots law, means you’re required to resubmit any architectural plans for approval. That also meant more time, more money and potentially, further delays if planning didn’t approve. Whilst it was another thing to add to the list, Garry and Nicola saw it as an opportunity to make some tweaks.
Thankfully the new plans were approved and it was full steam ahead with the build and finally, for Nicola, the interior. “I spent a huge amount of time trying to source traditional exposed oak which we eventually found in Ireland, and a very specific type of stonework which we got from a quarry in Dundee. and the steelwork was local from Hamilton.”
For pretty much all of the interior decisions, Nicola and Garry were on the same page, until it came to the kitchen. Nicola loves to cook so she was really excited about the kitchen. “I knew about Jackton Moor Kitchens, but I thought they were outwith our budget. Wren never came back and the others we tried, had really poor customer service,” she recalls. “So, we finally went to see Jackton Moor and we met with David and Anne Marie who were just incredible. They were sending me lots of pics the phone and everything was lights and greys because that’s what everyone else was doing at that time. However, I was very firmly fixed on raw wood, blacks, bronze and no bright metals, which David and Ann Marie were quite excited about as it was quite different from what they typically worked with at that time.”
Kitchen: Jackton Moor | Image: Kelly Morris
Garry wasn’t quite as excited about Nicola’s vision for the kitchen. “It was at this point that we had our first real disagreement over the interior to the extent that we each believed we were right and neither of us was willing to budge,’ chuckles Nicola. “I knew we had a really big space, but I didn’t want it to feel too big or cold, so I was set on having a working island right in the centre. Garry, however, didn’t think it would work. He worried that would take up too much space, so he wanted a peninsula at the end of the kitchen, leaving the whole middle area of the kitchen as a massive empty space.” Nicola didn’t just want to make the most of the space, she knew the island would make the kitchen more of a sociable place, somewhere for the kids to do their homework and chat, whilst she’s cooking and enjoying a glass of wine.
Primary En-suite
Walk-in Wardobe
The kitchen of dreams David from Jackton Moor designed both options, and he was very supportive of Nicola’s idea, reassuring Garry it wouldn’t be too big. Ultimately, Nicola won the war when she built the island to spec using pallets. The finished article really is stunning. It’s beautiful, rich, warm and so welcoming. There is no doubt this is a big house, and the kitchen is big too, but there’s nothing intimidating or pretentious about it. It’s handsome, but it’s also not entirely masculine. There’s the clever mix of handle-less and traditional oak doors mixed with modern facings, and the marble surround. It feels a bit like a warm hug from our favourite relative that just happens to be really stylish.
Primary Sauna
The boot room
The best decision they made There is no denying Nicola has an eye for style, but there is so much detail and thought in this kitchen, the designer must have had a heavy hand in this. Nicola is quick to agree “Absolutely they did. There are so many beautiful and bespoke elements they brought to it. For example, David knew I wanted stone in the house, and he came up with the idea of lining the kitchen wall. He didn’t need to do that, but he was really invested in the overall vision and went out of his way to help.” But the praise isn’t just reserved for the designers, “Just knowing that every piece of this kitchen was meticulously designed, measured to perfection, and manufactured right here in East Kilbride before being installed is pretty amazing, and then there’s the after care. You just don’t get service like that anywhere,” Nicola says. “In fact, I would say choosing Jackton Moor for the kitchen was the best decision we made in the whole house build,” she smiles
Well, you can’t get better praise than that, and we can’t disagree. We’re only having this conversation with Nicola because we saw her stunning kitchen in a local ad for Jackton Moor and got in touch with them. However, we can’t help but wonder if the budget was ultimately blown, especially given Nicola’s earlier concerns about Jackton Moor being way above her price range. “Not at all, it was actually the opposite,” she clarifies. “David worked very closely with us to ensure we carefully considered and managed our budget, giving us lots of suggestions for things to save on and things to spend more on.” Nicola continues, “In fact, I would actually go so far as to say, we got a Jackton Moor kitchen for a Kitchen Depot price,” she smiles. And we couldn’t be more delighted for Nicola and Garry who after an agonising and stressful build, moved into their new home on Christmas Eve 2022. Pipe dream - well and truly achieved! KM
HOME Following Nicola’s rave review of Jackton Moor, we asked Barry McAlear - their business front of shop, to tell us how we can achieve that Jackton Moor look without blowing the budget.
Striking the Balance: How to Potentially Save or Splurge on Your New Kitchen” by Barry McAlear Embarking on a kitchen renovation project is an exciting endeavour, but it often comes with the question: should you save or splurge? Finding the right balance between saving money and investing in quality upgrades can ensure that you achieve the kitchen of your dreams without compromising on style or functionality. At Jackton Moor we are on hand to help navigate the decision-making process for your new project: Assess Your Priorities: Begin by identifying your top priorities for your new kitchen. Are you focused on updating the aesthetics, enhancing functionality, or both? Understanding your needs and desires will help you allocate your budget accordingly. Saving Strategies: Explore cost-effective materials that offer durability and style. Opt for laminate worktops, decorative feature splashbacks as opposed to tiling, vinyl or laminate flooring, wood grain 5-piece frontals which give the appearance of hand painted kitchens as affordable alternatives to Bespoke Painted solid wood options. Minimalistic Design: Embrace a minimalist design approach to create a sleek and modern kitchen aesthetic. By keeping clutter to a minimum and focusing on clean lines and simplicity, you can achieve a high-end look without the high-end price tag. Splurging Strategies: Invest in Quality Appliances: Appliances are the workhorses of the kitchen, so investing in high-quality, energy-efficient models can pay off in the long run. Look for features that enhance performance and durability, advanced cooking technologies, and extended warranties. Upgrade to Premium Materials: If you have room in your budget, consider splurging on premium materials for worktops, cabinets, and flooring. Quartz or Ceramic worktops, solid wood frontals, and hardwood or natural stone flooring can elevate the look and feel of your kitchen and increase its resale value.
Customization and Personalization: Customizing your kitchen to suit your specific needs and preferences can be worth the investment. From custom cabinetry and built-in storage solutions to personalized finishes and fixtures, splurging on custom touches can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your space. Professional Installation and Design Services: Enlisting the help of our professional designers and installation team we can ensure that your renovation project is executed with precision and attention to detail. While this may involve a higher cost, it can save you time, stress, and potentially costly mistakes in the long run. Finding the Balance: Ultimately, the key to achieving the perfect kitchen lies in finding the right balance between saving and splurging. Prioritize your spending based on your needs, preferences, and budget constraints. Remember that a well-planned and thoughtfully executed renovation can transform your kitchen into a space that brings joy and functionality to your daily life. Whether you’re looking to save money or invest in premium upgrades, Jackton Moor have plenty of options available to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. By carefully weighing your priorities and exploring cost-saving and splurging strategies, you can achieve a result that reflects your personal style and meets your practical needs. Happy renovating!
If you would like to discuss your kitchen further with Barry, call 01355 575175 or pop into the Jackton Moor showroom at St James Retail, Jackton
SELLING YOUR HOME?
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Lanarkshire Law Estate Agents In the first edition we introduced you to one of our generous sponsors, Lanarkshire Law Estate Agents. This month, we’re introducing you to their newly appointed Management Team for East Kilbride: Hugh Murray and Lynn Martin.
Hi Hugh, can you tell us a bit about yourself? Sure, I’m from Coatbridge originally. I spent 20 years playing professional football then became a Gas Engineer where I trained funnily enough, at South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride, before joining Lanarkshire Law Estate Agents. Which football teams did you play for? I played for St Mirren for 17 years where I got a testimonial, before moving onto Partick Thistle, Dumbarton and Clyde. When did you join LLEA and what is your role there? I joined 3 years ago, my role is Senior Valuer which involves valuing people's properties, guiding them through the process and also carrying out viewings at properties we are selling.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Meeting new people and helping clients on the journey of the sale of their property as some may have never sold a property before and can be really nervous about the whole process. What do you love doing in your downtime? Spending time with my family - I have 4 kids so I'm a busy dad, also enjoy keeping fit gym/running What's the one piece of advice you would give to someone selling their home? Trust the process and we will make it as stress-free as possible for you and look after you every step of the way. Hi Lynn, can you tell us a bit about yourself? I have been an Estate Agent for over 21 years working within Corporate and Independent Estate Agents in Lanarkshire/Glasgow. When did you join LLEA and what is your role there? I actually only joined LLEA at the end of February, however I have known most of the team for a very long time so I’m coming into well-established relationships. My role is Acting/Interim Branch Manager and point of contact alongside Hugh for the East Kilbride area. What do you enjoy most about your job? Working closely with the clients to assist them selling their home. No day is ever the same and working with a great team of colleagues. What do you enjoy doing most on your downtime? Spending time with family and friends, going to the gym/boxing. What's the one piece of advice you would give to someone selling their home? To trust the expertise of your Estate Agent. If you’re looking to sell your East Kilbride, get in touch with Hugh, Lynn for a no obligation quote on 01355 729 688.
TOP TIPS FOR HANGING BASKETS with M.T. O’Donnell M.T. is publisher of Scotland Grows magazine and the Scotland Grows Show podcast, which celebrate Scottish gardening.
Nothing says summer as much as a floriferous hanging basket bursting with a trail of bright blooms and healthy foliage. By following our top tips from the outset, you can make your hanging baskets the talk of the town. Basket Liner There are many different options for basket liners: moss, burlap, coconut husks, coir, or preformed hard liners, but once the plants have established the liner will not be visible. The most important thing to remember is that the liner must be strong enough to hold the weight of the plants and the soil when wet. It is a good idea to place something which can form a reservoir, like an old pot saucer, in the bottom of the basket to help to reduce water loss. Frost Risk Keep your hanging baskets in the greenhouse or under cover until all threat of frost has passed which can be right up to late May across Lanarkshire, or even early June if you live in a frost pocket. Alternatively, just leave planting of baskets a little later when all risk of frost has passed. What to Plant in Hanging Baskets You could choose a colour theme, a single colour, go heavy on scent, try a basket with just foliage plants, or select a range of hanging basket plants that offer a vibrant splash of bold colours.
Edible baskets are another great idea so try filling a hanging basket with herbs like parsley, chive, basil, or thyme. Growing strawberries in a hanging basket is a great way to protect the crop from slugs. With so many options for hanging baskets, it can be hard to know where to start when choosing what to plant but noting how much sun and shade the location gets can determine which plants will do best there.
THRILLER, FILLERS & SPILLERS Thriller, Fillers, and Spillers Traditionally, hanging baskets are planted on the basis of a thriller, fillers, and spillers. Thriller: is usually the largest plant, placed in the centre of the basket, often with a tall and upright growing habit which should be striking in as many ways as possible. Look for plants that have continuous flowering or can give colour and texture in both flowers and foliage. Plants such as ageratum, bush fuchsias, pelargoniums, and osteospermums are an ideal thriller plant, as are plants like dwarf roses and lavender to provide interest. Small conifers, hostas, and heuchera can also be used as thrillers and although the latter two are not profusely flowering plants, they add architectural value. Fillers: are used to add colour, body, and texture to the container, usually placed around the base of the thriller plant so the choice of the thriller will have an effect on the plants that you chose as fillers. Plants can be selected for flowering interest or to provide foliage contrast and can be either upright or spreading in their habit, with a mixture of plants varieties in a mixture of colours. Flowering plants ideal for this include bush lobelia, begonias, petunias, and nemesia. Plants such as cineraria, helichrysum, and pelargoniums can be used for foliage interest. Spillers: are flowering and foliage plants around the side of the basket to soften the appearance by trailing over the sides. Plants ideal for this include calibrachoa, known as million bells, trailing pelargoniums, trailing fuchsias, bacopa, surfinia, and nasturtiums. One Plant Variety The same effect can be created in a hanging basket by planting one single plant variety using for example, an upright fuschia for the centre thriller, slightly smaller upright fuschias for filling around the sides, and a few trailing fuchsias spilling over the sides.
It’s all about the Thriller, Fillers & Spillers
www.scotlandgrowsmagazine.com
Image courtesy of Les Hoggan
A VISIT TO STRATHAVEN By Maureen McKenna I’d never been to Strathaven before - not that I can remember anyway. I didn’t know a thing about the place before my recent visit. I just thought it would be like every other wee place - a couple of cafes or pubs, pound shops, betting shops and empty shops, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. STRATHAVEN HOTEL On the Friday I arrived at the Strathaven Hotel with my daughter Kelly, and my sister Joyce. We didn’t have much time, so we went straight to the restaurant to have dinner and we all ordered the fish and chips because we were in a rush and didn’t want to wait about. However, the fish and chips was so nice that we finished it quicker than we thought and we had extra time for dessert. So, I ordered the pineapple turnover, which I was really quite pleased with until I saw Kelly’s black forest dessert and then I felt quite jealous actually. As for wee Joyce, she didn’t order a dessert but she can be annoying like that :) The hotel was lovely. I felt really comfortable really quickly. The people were so welcoming and chatty that it felt like we had met them before.
After dinner we checked into our rooms and freshened up before our big night out. It was then that it dawned on us, that me and our Joyce hadn’t shared a room since I was 13 years old!
Katie sat the three of us at a table with two couples that we didn’t know from adam and they didn’t know each other, but looking back, we couldn’t have knitted better company.
That was the age that I moved out of ‘our’ room because I wasn’t allowed to talk, move or even breathe when I was sharing a room with our Joyce. So, we had a good wee giggle about that before heading into Strathaven for our ‘Raer Night Out’ at the Parlour which the locals know better as The Drawing Room.
I can’t remember the men’s names (so sorry because you were both lovely), but the women were both
A RAER NIGHT OUT AT THE PARLOUR
THE DOUBLE MORAG
As soon as we arrived, we met Katie (O’Brien from RAER) and she handed each of us a glass of fizz, which we assumed was a really nice prosecco or cava, but it turns out it was a whisky. I honestly would never have believed it. You could not get me to drink whisky if you paid me, and here I was drinking away, saying it was lovely and I had no idea it was whisky! So Katie definitely tricked us, but she was so lovely and welcoming we’ll let her off.
called Morag and we couldn’t believe it when it actually dawned on us. I mean what’s the chances of two Morags at the same table when it was only a small gathering?
Of course when Katie found out and told Scott (he co-owns the Parlour) that was it - a new cocktail called ‘The Double Morag’ was made. The cocktail really was delicious, although how Scott managed to make one that both Morags liked when they have completely different tastes - I’ll never know! All through the night Katie, was introducing us to different whiskies and spirits from Jackton Distillery which all tasted completely different whether you mixed them with soda, lemonade or coke. In fact, the two