I’ve spent the last decade lusting after a business trip. Put simply: the NO homework, NO school run and the total thrill of travelling alone. But the only work trips I’ve squeezed myself out of the house and onto a plane for, have quite honestly disappointed; a curious mix of long boardroom meetings, lonely hotel rooms and some demanding clients. So I came to the conclusion that business trips quite simply weren’t for me.
the Union Bridge was built 1920 and is the longest iron suspension bridge in the world
But – a few weeks ago – while chatting to a particularly lovely Scottish retailer, a glimpse of ‘the great escape’ appeared like a vision in front of my eyes. “I’d love to meet some of those London bloggers you keep mentioning’ she told me, ‘do you think they’d be interested in travelling North to learn more about tartan?’ she enquired.
the most delicious lunch at The Collingwood Arms Hotel – all cooked with the best of locally sourced produce
So, there we were, last Monday morning, a brilliantly rowdy bunch on the fast train to Berwick Upon Tweed, which is only 20 minutes from where ScotlandShop is based.
ScotlandShop sells tailored tartan clothing and interiors, with literally about 500 tartan to choose from. I can’t imagine there’s anyone out there who knows more about the multi-coloured chequered designs than Anna White.
I was (mostly) posing as the client’s photographer. Juggling lenses and delighting in the brilliantly sunny Scottish climes, I thought you might like to see the trip as more of a picture story.
What an amazing view as you step outside the ScotlandShop offices…
… and inside it’s ALL colour
we were invited to mock up mood board detailing anything we’d love to have made. In tartan, of course. Jemima had already set her heart on a maxi skirt.
This is Chirnside Hall Hotel – a really gorgeous country house hotel where we had lots of wine and dinner before resting our pretty heads.
Pre-dinner and over LARGE glasses of wine we learnt how to make a kilt. Here is Anna from South Molten St Style getting whizzy with her needle…
dinner time
instagramming as we went
Such a lovely client. She listened to us gossiping, debating and laughing very loudly without passing any judgement!
I woke up to find my friend Poppy Loves already up and dressed and completely mesmerised by the view…
after breakfast, we headed to Selkirk Mill to learn how tartan fabrics are made
which was basically a photographer’s dream
and also VERY noisy
After the mill, we were in for a last surprise treat before our train. Anna drove us to the Mertoun Estate and as we walked down to the Tweed bank…
… we found a Scottish picnic had been laid out waiting for us. A DREAM…
of course after too much Irn-Bru, there was no stopping Ropes of Holland jumping in the Duke’s boat…
A last minute dash for the London train and Ropes of Holland, Poppy Loves, South Molten Street Style, Musings from a London Mum, The Stylist and the Wardrobe and I were heading homeward bound. Now ALL tartan converts and more than a bit smitten by the stunning Scottish scenery, I’ll refrain from posting another 20+ pics or repeating just what a brilliant giggle we all had. Besides, I’m sure they will tell their own side of our story and to some extent, what goes on tour, stays on tour…
