Planning for our Easter break to Scotland shortly and it dawned on me that the country has always been present in my life in one way or another but that the trips I’ve had there all seem to have mulched into one in my mind. I sat with the boys last night and asked them about previous trips we’d had to Dougie’s birthplace and, whereas my memory for dates and occasions was very woolly, my husband and son were particularly good at remembering things pre-blog, often based on whether there was a World or European Cup that year.
Based on our recollections I have managed to assemble a collection of memories, which may or may not be in chronological order:
I’ve obviously always had a bit of a penchant for all things Scottish which led me to marrying one later on in life. In the 1970s I began to learn Highland Dancing and entered competitions, a couple of them being over the border from my home in Newcastle. Did you know I was the North of England Beginner’s Champion in 1974, aged 10? Heady stuff, indeed. As this became a serious hobby, it necessitated a trip to Edinburgh to be measured for a velvet waistcoat and kilt. These were expensive items and it was a long trip. I continued dancing for a few years until my kilt became too short and I had to decide whether to get a whole new outfit or give it up and enjoy being a teenager in other ways. I packed the kilt away.
I met Dougie in 1987. In 1988, while I was still working in London, he continued his medical training in Elgin in the far north east of Scotland. Most of the time I would meet him for a weekend in Newcastle, both of us travelling a few hours to ‘meet in the middle’. I did fly to Aberdeen once to visit him and he was extremely late picking me up from the airport as he’d crashed into the gate-post when leaving the house. He’s never been much good at reversing.
Pre-Rory, I remember frequent visits to Edinburgh to visit Dougie’s parents who still lived there before retiring down to Lincolnshire in 1995 to live near us. Many a day was spent walking up the Royal Mile or climbing Arthur’s Seat in a scene reminiscent of the book/film One Day.
A dreek holiday travelling round the west of Scotland brought us to Plockton where the haggis they served as a starter was so tasty it’s stayed with me to this day. I think we saw the Isle of Skye but the weather was so dreadful most things were covered in a low mist (just look at that face in the picture).
On other trips we visited Fort William, Loch Ness, Glengarry Castle and the Queen’s residence, Balmoral.
Post-Rory, a trip to Loch Rannoch in 1997 saw us staying in an apartment which looked rather lovely but was covered in dog hair. I remember Dougie spent two hours hoovering the place before we unpacked. No idea why we didn’t make a fuss and get someone else to do it. He was a man on a mission, best left to his task. During this trip we visited places which suit toddlers: highland parks with coos and deer and anywhere we could push a toddler in a buggy and point at things. It rained a lot (again) and I remember we found a soft play centre on a housing estate to escape to.
2005, Loch Lomond. Another attractive apartment let down by a musty smell on the ground floor. Visited an old prison in Inveraray, saw a salmon ladder in Pitlochry and took a trip to Glasgow for a tour of Hampden football club. Whilst at the Science Centre in Glasgow we ended up being involved in a press conference to publicise the baton relay for the following year’s Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Rory held the baton and was given a T-shirt. I have no idea why this was happening in Glasgow but maybe it was en-route from Manchester where the games had been previously hosted.
Popped up to Edinburgh to visit Dougie’s Auntie Jenny and see the West End touring version of Starlight Express. We saw the Saturday matinee performance which had someone signing for the deaf at the side of the stage. I am now unable to sing the words ‘starlight express’ without moving my right arm in a big arc above my head, followed by a couple of choo-choo movements with my arms.
Amused by signs on the roads in the small towns to restrict speed – “Twenty’s Plenty” – and interesting to note that the signs on the motorways said. ‘Don’t take drugs and drive’ whereas the focus in England is more on drink.
2009, a school reunion for Dougie involved a gala dinner at Prestonfield House. We stayed the night at the sumptuous Edinburgh hotel but, fancying a bit of pre-dinner fun, jumped onto the bed and the resulting fluff, which was dislodged from the velvet cushions, set Dougie off sneezing to the point that his nose bled and our ardours were well and truly cooled.
I wonder what’s in store for our trip to Loch Tay in just over a week’s time? Looks like we might not have rain this time…..I think snow is forecast.
I have many fond memories of holidays in Scotland including hiring a cruiser for the week on Loch Ness, walking down the Outer Hebrides from North Uist to Barra (with a little help from ferries). Walked up Ben Nevis getting blisters from hiking boots and then two little old ladies in brogues and with handbags over their arms arrived at the top behind us. The train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig. Gannets on Bass Rock.
But my wife refuses to go because of the weather and the more recent anti-English sentiment.
I think a better sign for small villages is "Forty's Faster" but won't campaign in the election on it.
Some great memories here, Troy.
Didn't you know brogues and handbags are the choice for serious hikers?
I think we need to visit Scotland more in the summer. We always seem to go at Easter and have rain. Oh hang on…
I note you've never been to the Borders….
Just saying…
I suppose we've always gone through them! Though this year we might actually stop round your neck of the woods. Not quite organised this but, if my cousin is around in Kelso with her partner and new baby, we might see them on the way up or down. I shall wave!
Well, if you're looking for a friendly coffee….
Thank you! x
We also love Scotland – going back to Dunkeld in May then again we go on our family jaunt there in October – same hotel, for the past 10 years! I just love Scotland with a passion, especially the Highlands.
CJ x
I remember reading your posts about your hotel. It is a beautiful country. Dougie loves to go back when he can. I know I've teased about the weather but It would take more than a bit of rain to spoil our enjoyment.
I'm waiting until I get a bit older and then I'll be able to remember everything I've forgotten from the past. 🙂
That's genius, Sarah! Will just sit tight then and it will all come flooding back.
What a lot of Scottish memories you have! I can just picture you doing your "Starlight Express" impression…
Snow? Isn't spring supposed to have arrived?
Have a great trip! xx
We've visited a lot as trips coincided with visits to friends, weddings, christenings etc. We plan to meet our old pals again this time. I do hope Spring gets a move on. Certainly snow is forecast for us this weekend. I'm hoping it will be replaced by wall to wall sunshine!
Wow, Trish this really makes me want to go oop north now. Or is Scotland even norther than oop north. The only Scotland I visited was the festival and I'm sure that was quite a different place. I love your Highland Fling thing and how fabulous to find someone else who loves Haggis too!
Yes I think Scotland is more oop north than oop north itself!
We love haggis as a family. In fact Rory's favourite meal is his dad's special chicken breast stuffed with whisky-soaked haggis wrapped in bacon.
You should have seen my Highland Fling, Jody, it was a sight to behold. I also used to do the Sword Dance which, if you present me with a couple of sticks and I'm merry enough, I can just about manage even now….of a fashion.
Trish – good skill to have oop your skirt (the sword dance that is)
Of course a little rain can't put you off a jaunt…no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothes eh? I've only been to Scotland twice – and very briefly…I would love to go all along the west coast but stories of mozzies and midges put me off…they love to eat me.
We've been lucky, I suppose, not to have noticed any mozzies. They always eat Dougie though, so I'm usually safe!
I love Scotland and still have long lost rellies up there. My dad was born and raised in Glasgow and my gran lived there all her life… 2 minutes from the Celtic football ground.
I had no idea about your Celtic connections, Steve. Do you go up there much now?
Alas, not since my gran died about 10 years ago… I keep thinking I ought to go back. I have very fond memories of Glasgow.
I would love to go to Scotland. Thanks for sharing the memories. 🙂
It was lovely to think about all the times we'd been there. It's easy to forget where and when we visited – thankfully the blog helps my memory with more recent trips.
You do make me laugh… I am ashamed to say I have never ever been. One day! Have a great trip! 🙂
You've never been? If you do decide to visit, go when we're not there and you might get good weather.
I absolutely love Scotland and, indeed, my Great Granny came from Inverness, so I have a small claim too. Haven't been for years, sadly, but one of our most memorable hols was on the Isle of Skye…. wonderful!
Oh yes, you do indeed have a claim.
We didn't get to Skye when we visited the west coast. It was before the bridge was open and the weather that day put me off! Dougie would like to go another time.