Bellrock and a Ruby anniversary

Last Sunday Kevin and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We stayed on the Fingal at Leith in the Bellrock Lighthouse Suite. I chose this as the Bellrock is the oldest existing rock lighthouse in the British Isles that is still an active lighthouse, is the tower on the Bell, or Inchcape, rock. This is a long and treacherous reef lying in the North Sea, off Arbroath where I was born. A visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia early Monday morning was both poignant but heartwarming.

From there we drove through amazing Scottish landscape to stay at the Torridon-just the most amazing place I have ever stayed in. Walking through the door felt like a huge hug. I cried as I entered our room, the view was so amazing. We walked, talked, ate and drank. The next day we were challenging ourselves with sea-kayaking. I was so proud of us doing this. A memory of breathtaking proportion.

Next up was the dramatic backdrop of the Isle of Skye – the misty isle and a stay at a delightful B&B. An all day trip around the island, which was full of weather, landscape changes, and information about Harry Styles, who filmed his first solo video there.

Friday and a long drive to Arbroath, time with Mum and a trip to see Arbroath play, with the Bellrock Lighthouse in the distance. So we have come full circle.

So forty years of love, laughter, tears, fears, challenge, through the good and the bad times. It’s not always been easy, but neither has it been arduous. Kevin has been by my side all the way, his support and guidance and his quiet unassuming manner has compensated for my more theatrical moments and indulgences. In many ways I have been fortunate to marry a man who is very like my beloved Dad. I wish for many more years to enjoy, to plan our next trips together and fulfil our dreams with our family and friends.