Tracing Your Ancestors in Scotland

This afternoon I had a couple of hours free as tonight's guests weren't arriving until 5pm. They're now settled and getting ready to go out for an evening meal so I've time to tell you about my exploits.

In August I have visitors from New Zealand arriving. They're on a tour to trace their ancestry in Scotland.  Now I know lots of Scots emigrated to New Zealand back in the 'old days' and many continue to do so because of the quality of life offered, but my visitors are young New Zealanders and both are of Scots descent. The amazing fact they themselves have discovered is that both their great-great-grandparents came from this area of Scotland and both were named Robertson! Both were single when they arrived in New Zealand.

What a work they've put into this research but it appears neither great-great-grandparent knew each other before they emigrated and it's still not known if they knew each other in New Zealand. Mind you, they started sheep farms quite a few hundred miles apart (still in existance today) so they may well have 'heard' of each other without meeting. The woman emigrated with her brother and, of course, it's her brother's name that is on the documentation for the land purchase!

Back in those days Blairgowrie was a small and successful town with farming being one of the strong industries.

Anyway, back to my activities. I've been wandering around the old Blairgowrie cemetery at the top of the town but with little success. Many of the stones have been vandalised since the ground was deconsecrated but also a majority of the stones are readable.

I did have success at Bendochy churchyard though and have forwarded them photos of 7 gravestones with the name Robertson. Hopefully they will help in some way even if it's only to eliminate some leads.

These young people want to do a joint 'Ancestry' book and video to present to their respective parents later this year as a thank you for helping them purchase their new house.

I can see tears in the eyes of four parents already and all because a young couple want to trace their ancestry to the Scots and Scotland!

Seasonal Breakfast Delights

This morning I felt rather sad because I grilled the last of the locally grown asparagus for two guests (the other two had the quality bacon and sausage of my local pork butcher.)  Only bought yesterday at the farm near Glamis (Eassie farm) it was the last of their asparagus crop which has only around a 6 week season.  I hadn't realised until yesterday that the time had flown so quickly.

During summer I offer guests a variety of 'specials' from local producers in addition to the regular 'specials' not on the main menu.  This year so many people have been grateful to have such an exotic choice as grilled asparagus (which I serve with a side dish of chilled lemon butter) that I think Eassie farm ought to offer me shares in their business!  Although I've suggested some tasty Belfast ham along with the asparagus I've had no takers, but I shan't tell Belfast as I've no wish to offend their ham.

Forgive me if the photograph is not one of my own but I didn't have time this morning to take photographs.  I believe this photo is the nearest to the reality of mine.  

On a cooking note, I've been a consummate eater of asparagus for so many years I can't quite remember.  I've had the inedible, the tough, the cremated, the average and the best.  The best, in my opinion, is grilled.  On the BBQ just a minute either side is fine. For breakfasts and certain foods I use a Foreman grill and 2 or 3 minutes inside that machine, after the bottom inch is chopped off and the remainder washed, is just perfection.  Gourmet food indeed!

More Castle information plus Distillery visits

I've just returned from a wander round the grounds of Glamis Castle - something I do often as I find them just wonderful at this time of year.  It's like having my own grand estate more or less on my doorstep! (Well ok, within 15 minutes drive).

Upon leaving I picked up a leaflet entitled 'Treasure Ticket'.  This ticket is just great value as it allows visitors into the 3 castles I've already mentioned (Glamis, Scone and Blair) plus entry to both the Famous Grouse and Bell's Blair Athol distilleries. All this for the super price of £18 for adults, £16 for seniors (that's me!) and £45 for families.

What more could you ask for?  If one of your party isn't keen on castles then I'm sure they'll be keen on visiting a distillery and with this ticket everyone is happy! Have a look a Glamis Castle's website for more details.  Click tickets on the right hand menu.  Enjoy!

The Missing Ring

This past week I've had great pleasure enjoying the company of two couples who have visited me for many of the past 13 years.  Usually both of the husbands play golf each day, but as this was the Ruby Wedding Anniversary of one couple, golf was off the agenda for once (how the wives managed that I don't know)!

One evening prior to them going out for dinner, we were all sitting talking in the sitooterie, when suddenly the Ruby Wedding wife said to her husband, "Where's your wedding ring?"  Now, I'm sure the Ruby Wedding husband will forgive me if I describe him as rather a laid back sort of man, who likes an easy life.  He looked at his finger and stated quite calmly, "It's not there."

As the Ruby Wedding husband had only just finished entertaining us with details of a young Dundee schoolteacher he had met the previous evening whilst outside for an after dinner smoke, (he enjoys this forbidden pleasure), the comments started to flow.  "When you took it off chatting to the Dundee teacher you missed your pocket," and other similar witty remarks. Fortunately the Ruby Wedding wife took all the remarks with amusement but she was obviously upset.  

The following day there was an in depth enquiry as to the Ruby Wedding husband's actions since the previous weekend when he knew he was in possession of this sentimental token of love.  Several times he mentioned it had never been off his finger for 39 years, 11 months and 364 days (the actually date of the Ruby Wedding was the following day).

I then had the 'pleasure' of giving the house another spring clean in search of the missing ring.   Truthfully I would never have forgiven myself if it was in the house somewhere and hadn't been found and this exercise was completely voluntary!  Suffice to say, after a couple of hours work, nothing was discovered.

The following evening we were all going out for a pre-arranged celebration.  During the 'winks and drinks' prior to leaving the Ruby Wedding husband took some flack about the ring again and how it would be the talk of their golf club when the word went round.

Our evening was brilliant - good food, good wine and most of all superb company.   The following morning I felt a little fragile and the others were subdued but, as they were returning home, we all managed fond farewells and 'see you soon' sentiments.

I received an email from the Ruby Wedding wife two days later.  When I saw the address I assumed it was a thank you for the hospitality as she is always very kind at showing her appreciation.  The email was brief.  'He found his ring, inside his golf glove, inside his golf bag' .

Phew!  What a relief!  Seems the Dundee teacher is completely off the hook ...

(The couple in this story have approved the accuracy and say their sides are still sore from laughing)

Perthshire Major Events 2008

29 June - 4 July        Scottish Mixed Foursomes Golf Week.

4 - 6 July                  Scottish Game Fair Scone Palace.

6 July                       Elton John at McDiarmid Park Perth

11 - 13 July              T in the Park, Kinross

12 - 13 July              Scottish Transport Extravaganza, Glamis Castle

9 -10 August            Scottish Prom Weekend, Glamis Castle

6 September            Braemar Highland Games

6 September            Braemar Night, Blairgowrie

6 - 7 September       Scottish Countryside Fair, Glamis Castle

7 September            Blairgowrie Highland Games

3 - 9 October           Walking Festival Blairgowrie/East Perthshire

Member of Ancestral Tourism

Ancestral Tourism is an accredited qualification given to a small number of Scottish bed and breakfast or guesthouse businesses who have proved their ability at helping visitors with the time consuming and enjoyable interest of tracing their ancestors. Indeed I am most fortunate to be a member of this initiative and learn something myself most days.

Genealogy (the tracing of ancestors) has become most popular in the past 5 - 10 years and as a 4 star bed and breakfast in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland I have attracted my share of these most delightful guests who pursue their interest in a most enthusiastic and cheerful manner. The tenacity of most would shame lesser mortals!

Being a member of Ancestral Tourism ensures any guest staying at Heathpark Lodge will be given as much help as possible with regard to places (such as graveyards, record libraries etc) and at times help finding people. It's so much easier to speak to people local to an area than attempt to find details even on the internet.

Most of my guests have done a great deal of research prior to visiting Scotland, or indeed Perthshire, but usually there are one or two loose ends which can be tied up to make a picture complete. Perhaps I'm lucky because guests from as far a field as Australia, New Zealand, Canada plus the US have stayed with me and before their trip I've known about their quest thanks to the technology of email. Of course that helps me because I can do a little research of my own prior to their arrival and at times save them hours of slogging round churchyards.

So if your desire is to trace your Scottish ancestral roots, do try to stay with someone who is a member of this initiative as they could be quite valuable in your search. I never knew so many of Scottish descent worldwide are still so deeply interested in their roots. It's a pleasure to be part of their quests.

Pets can Bed and Breakfast in Perthshire too!

Don't you shake your head in despair at times when you realise a problem, which seems very complicated, is easily resolved.  The answer may be staring you in the face as in this case.

Owning a bed and breakfast in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, a good many of my guests are people from all over the UK.  Many enquire if I would take pets, usually dogs, but I've also had enquiries for cats and one rabbit, which I was pleased to accommodate as he arrived with his own portable flat (or apartment if you prefer). 

In recent years many bed and breakfasts and guesthouses have stopped taking pets.  I can understand why as the cost of carpeting and furnishings are expensive if you are a 4 or 5 star business but I also understand why visitors don't want to leave their adored pet behind.  Having been a dog owner for some years leaving a dog behind is a wrench.  Leaving a dog behind for a week or more can be emotionally upsetting to all concerned.

So, your bed and breakfast or guesthouse refuses your lovely, well behaved pet. "I'll find somewhere else then," you think to yourself.  After ringing umpteen places you still haven't found somewhere who would cherish your pet as much as you.

Solution:

Why don't you bring your pet with you and arrange accommodation in a local kennel or cattery?  That way you can see your pet every day, even have them with you all day and both of you will sleep well at night.  Here in Blairgowrie there is a cattery just yards from my door and a kennels just over 5 minutes drive away.  As I haven't used either of these for some years I am hesitant to recommend them, but it shouldn't take long to check them out.

One thing I know, the local two are very busy, so book early.  There are quite a few others within 30 minutes drive so you do have a good choice.

Do away with all the stress of taking your pet to kennels or the cattery prior to your holiday.  All come together and enjoy yourselves in Perthshire, Scotland!