Returning to the office after the festive break is always an odd feeling – the celebrations are over and it’s back to normality. Opening up my inbox I was faced by oceans of emails. But amongst them all was a gem, one of those little things that really adds a sparkle to the day.

            

It was an email from Valerie Moyer in Pennsylvania, USA, about her 16-year-old daughter Sarah’s virtual visit to Stirling Castle. It seems that one branch of the family were Stirlings and they are very proud of their Scottish ancestry. Mrs Moyer says that Sarah wears a kilt she made for her, has a Saltire in her room and got a copy of the movie Stone of Destiny for Christmas. And while the family has always wanted to visit to the old country they have not yet managed to make it over here in person. However, last September their church pastor did pay a visit and brought a photo of Sarah with him. He then held it in front of his own camera lens and hey presto had a picture showing the teenager in front of the castle. Mrs Moyer included a copy saying “I hope it brings you as many smiles as the photo has brought us”. Well if you are reading this Mrs Moyer – job done – it certainly brightened up my return to work.                 

Gillian MacDonald, Castle Manager.