This was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable week in Scotland celebrating my Dad’s 80th birthday. We flew through Paris to Scotland on Wednesday – ask me about the interesting security options at Charles de Gaulle airport when you see me. Here’s a picture of Diana and my Dad enjoying our 
arrival celebration champagne. As usual I was thoroughly spoiled by my Mum with great cooking – Stornoway black pudding for breakfast, steak pies, fantastic deserts. On Friday the fishmonger comes to the house and delivers “Fresh Fish” – delicious and now known as “Fresh Fish Friday”. We had a nice trip over to the beach at Irvine where the wind blew out any remaining cobwebs from our jetlagged heads.
My Dad’s 80th birthday was on Saturday but we had the fancy celebration dinner on Friday since my neice was moving to Toulouse, France for her year abroad early Saturday morning. We started in the Lounge of the Lochgreen House Hotel with canapes and champagne as everyone arrived. Here’s our family group in the gardens outside the hotel. That’s my tiny nephew Struan on the right hand side.
My favorite feature of the arrival lounge was the “Malt Room” in the corner. Several hundred fine single malt scotches and bourbons nicely arranged in a circular room. Heaven!
Lochgreen borders the Royal Troon golf course where the British Open had just been played. We were lucky enough to get to choose from the full fancy menu from the Open for my Dad’s dinner – delicious all around. Diana had lobster for both her appetizer and entree which always makes her happy.
We had a perfect private room for dinner looking out on the grounds. My Mum and Dad’s friends the Dunlops, the MacArthurs, and Mrs. Roy joined the family to make a very entertaining group. Here’s the group, my Dad with his balloon and his excellent cake highlighting his gardening and art hobbies.
My Mum gave my Dad an iPad for his birthday present. It was loaded up with pictures from the dinner (see selfie of Diana and my brother in law, David, below) and pictures and videos from the family. We were quite nervous about the technical challenges that the gift might present, but are happily surprised with the ease that Dad places facetime calls on Sundays.
On Sunday we made a trip through to Edinburgh so that I could torture Diana with a tour of my alma-mater, Heriot-Watt University. It’s changed a lot since I was there 30 years ago. My halls of residence appear to have been torn down and there are many more buildings to accommodate the move of the entire University from central Edinburgh to the Riccarton campus on the outskirts. I really like the quote from Alex Salmond we found on a rock while strolling around the campus.
Time to get packed up and ready to fly to Paris on Monday. Life is good!