Scotland in Four Seasons Spring 2021

FOREVER SCOTLAND

“I was born in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and grew up in Kingseat and Newmachar, Aberdeenshire."

Bennachie is another place I love; it is such an iconic hill, and I was so happy to have been able to take my boys, Rex, and Hartley, there as well. Seeing them sat at the top of the hill where I sat when I was a little girl was a memory I will never forget. I also have lovely memories of the family caravanning in Aviemore, Speyside. We had a lot of fun playing rounders and being such a competitive family, the card games round the fire would go on late into the night. Another beautiful place very close to my heart is Fyvie Castle, in the village of Fyvie near Turriff. My grandparents are laid to rest there and it is also where I was married.

I am fiercely proud of my Scottish roots and my children have always celebrated and been aware of the relevance of Burns, Hogmanay, and St Andrews Day. Burns Night in particular evokes real emotion and as we were locked down this year I was the only true Scot. However, I still got emotional when addressing the haggis with bagpipes in the background. I always do a Scottish quiz on Burns Night with my boys, which keeps their knowledge of Scotland, its traditions and heritage in their minds. In fact, most reminders of home make me emotional. Seeing pictures of my brother and his gorgeous black Labrador retrievers brings back so many memories and seeing his new venture, Camaloun Gundogs, take off makes me so proud. I would love to be walking the hills of Aberdeenshire with him in the spring.