Camperdown and I will be left to our own devices, with time to reflect
on the year that is past. Together, we will raise our glasses to those
we love, to our many friends, and to my many readers.
AT THIS time of year, Old Camperdown's attention is entirely caught up
with the prospect of the New Year Honours List and who has got what and
why. Being largely political honours, and in stark contrast to those
distributed by Her Majesty the Queen on her official birthday, there is
usually much for him to disapprove of.
That aside, the build up to Hogmanay is a busy time for all of us up
here in the Highlands of Scotland -- not least influenced by the fact
that we have been out socialising every night since Tuesday.
In some ways, this has been a blessing since it has kept my sister
Henrietta and Trevor, her friend who does something in television, fully
occupied. I'm happy to report, furthermore, that apart from Mellors,
Henrietta's wretched little dog eating a whole side of smoked trout and
disgracing himself in my embroidery basket, the entire week has passed
without incident.
Nevertheless, I did become a bit irritated with the way Trevor was
constantly commandeering Camperdown's camcorder, my Christmas present to
the old boy, in order to film Mrs Bogie preparing dinner in the
kitchens, Goodman, the butler, supervising Camperdown's bath, and
Dawkins polishing the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo.
Do you know, he must have used up as much as a whole cartridge on the
row of Georgian servant bells which are located above the oak armorial
in the back pantry. Thank goodness they took their leave of us this
morning to catch a flight to the West Indies.
Tonight, while Camperdown and I indulge ourselves at home with an
intimate champagne and oyster supper, Fiona and Fraser will be in
Edinburgh, weather permitting, bringing in the New Year amid all those
jolly laser displays, pop groups and fireworks in the city centre.
Ah, what it is to be young! Apparently they've been invited to join a
table for the Hogmanay Ball, sponsored by Glenkinchie malt whisky,
taking place in a former banking hall in George Street. This is being
organised by Peter Irvine, an enterprising, rather modern, young man who
promotes musical events and drives a Morgan, and Karen Koran, a
beautiful Scandinavian girl with a Scottish accent whom I once met when
she was working for the Norwegian Consul General.
The cabaret is being provided by Fay Presto, a lady magician whom
Henrietta informs me performs regularly at Langan's, one of her
favourite London restaurants. Trevor says she's quite amazing, pins
playing cards to the ceiling, and works with a rabbit called Harvey who
flies aeroplanes. Well, what can one say?
Happily, Camperdown and I will be left to our own devices, with time
to reflect on the year that is past. Together, we will raise our glasses
to those we love, to our many friends, and to my many readers. As the
midnight hour approaches, we will share those precious memories of those
who, over the past 12 months, have passed on from our lives, but not
from our hearts; notably the Hon Andrew and Simon Fraser, Lady Victoria
Wemyss, Alec Haldane of Gleneagles, the Earl and Countess of Selkirk,
and Lord Elphinstone, whose funeral we all attended the day before
Christmas Eve. All considered, there were some wonderful moments in
1994, not least the visit of the King and Queen of Norway, followed by
the Prince of Denmark in August.
At a splendid ceremony in Edinburgh, Lord Dalmeny married Caroline
Daglish and ended up honeymooning at Dalmeny, the family home, when she
developed toothache. I understand from his mother, the Countess of
Rosebery, that they are currently on the Cresta Run in Switzerland. Then
there was that splendidly amusing clay pigeon shoot organised by Julia
Ogilvy, who is married to Princess Alexandra's son James, following the
Scottish Game Conservancy Fair at Scone Palace. I was so thrilled to
hear of the birth of their daughter.
As we contemplate the coming of 1995, Camperdown and I find ourselves
filled with a great sense of euphoria, optimism and peace.
Unfortunately, Torquil, our son, who will be bringing in the New Year at
a ceilidh in the village hall with his friend Cormack, the son of one of
our keepers, has promised to first foot us with his bagpipes.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article