We rang in 2026 at our Canadian mountain home, cozy in the snow after a calm and picturesque Christmas. After an early family celebration, we were just three for the holidays – perfect for reading in front of the fireplace, playing games, watching home movies, and failing miserably at an intricate floral puzzle!

On that last day of 2025, I gazed at the twinkling Christmas tree lights, morning coffee in hand, reflecting with gratitude on an eventful year. Thankful for my small design business endeavours with my partner at Studio 1220, for our sparkling home renovation, for the two trips to Europe and for a beautiful summer wedding shared with family and friends from far and wide. I’ve also just closed a five-year chapter as the social media specialist for a local business… it’s finally time to concentrate on my next book project, a travel memoir.

I was privileged to travel to Spain twice last year, yet I was so thankful to return to Scotland in November. A place that was once home and the dramatic country that my husband originally hails from. Rediscovering Scotland felt different this time with more connection and a deeper appreciation for the country that is part heritage to my children. We were primarily there for Bruce’s work project, yet we took the time to wander down well trodden memory lanes and also forge new interesting pathways.

After stays in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we visited our former hometown of Banchory, a long stone’s throw from Aberdeen. Oh, how lovely it was to see our bonnie wee home again, still nestled behind a cotoneaster draped wall and the weeping birch that we planted. Memories came flooding back of our young family, the house like a time portal. I could see the boys riding tricycles in the back garden, banging on pots and pans in the kitchen, cuddling up to me as they listened to their favourite bedtime story.

Out of the thirteen homes that we’ve lived in around the world, this one is particularly special as it was the first home of our second son. It’s where we welcomed family and friends into its tartaned wallpaper and matching carpeted embrace. And also into the gorgeous garden where the sound of bagpipes might just drift along up to us. The house became a basecamp to explore from. Perhaps to the Highlands, through lavender, heather-covered hills, to the whiskey distilleries. Their pungent bold aromas soon forgotten after a taste of fine Scotch. Perhaps a trip to Lochness in the hopes of spotting the mythical ‘Nessie’. I can still hear our son Luke’s plaintive cry as he stood at the loch’s edge, ‘Nessie I’m here, where are you?” It has always felt like an incredibly special place to have lived!

Nestled along the River Dee, Banchory is known as the Gateway to Royal Deeside. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth visited their nearby Castle in Balmoral often. Between the 1940’s to 80’s, Banchory became world renowned for its lavender fields, now it’s better known for anglers hoping to catch prized salmon. Our local excursion on a chilly November afternoon wasn’t to fish, but to visit a number of castles, especially Crathes Castle, once a playground for our children. An unexpected snowfall had closed the road to the castle so we wandered through new-fallen snow through the pristine gardens and estate… catching glimpses of Highland Coos and hugging towering cedars – a counterpoint to the admirable topiary hedges of yew flanking the castle. Again in our mind’s eye, we pictured the kids running through the gardens on a summer’s day, the 16th century castle an unlikely yet stunning backdrop.

Memories, so many special memories. We stayed at the storied Banchory Lodge situated on the River Dee. Once a grand home, the reimagined boutique-style hotel is a blend of the historic and the modern. Over dinner and breakfast in front of the crackling fireplace, we took the time to relive and savour those early chapters in our life. We couldn’t have known how many more countries we’d be fortunate enough to live in – at 30 years old Scotland was already our third – and we didn’t yet have an inkling that we would gratefully welcome a third son into our family. Which circles back to the most important event of this year.

Just as Luke and Trixie’s nuptials three years ago in The Philippines were so special, Andrew and Ayla’s summer wedding closer to home was also a blessing and joyous occasion. A most perfect day. Another strong and loving daughter officially added to our family. Two families united, two celebrations between Banff and Kimberley, two events where family and friends mingled and danced the evenings away!

So with gratitude and hope for this year, I wish the same for you dear reader… calm and peacefulness that we all need more than ever.

Thank you for reading and a very Happy New Year, wherever you may be!

Post Script… 10 Things I Love About Scotland

The ‘New Scot’ – the term for new immigrants who are welcomed and encouraged to make the country their new home.

Friendly chit-chats at local pubs.

The deep, rich history that is still palpable and celebrated.

The beauty, from the architecture to the landscapes.

The proud tradition of music, you might even find yourself Scottish dancing in a pub on a Monday evening!

The beautiful heritage of tartan.

The culinary scene, from traditional to fusion to food from other lands… Dishoom Glasgow, Ivy Glasgow, Black Isle Brewery Inverness, The Chester Aberdeen, The Anchor Glasgow, Cafe Andaluz Edinburgh.

Train travel, easy and incredibly picturesque… The Caledonian Sleeper to London is a good option for flights arriving in London.

Museums, galleries and tours… informative and inspiring such as The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Glasgow City Chambers Tour, Walking Tours Glasgow.

Hotels I’d recommend… Malmaison Aberdeen, The Address Glasgow, Banchory Lodge, Radisson Blu Edinburgh. AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness.