Farewell, My Beautiful Glasgow
Klik hier voor de Nederlandse versie
It was in the winter of 2008 that Gerard and I decided to buy a second home in Scotland. Choosing a city was easy: it had to be Glasgow. “Why on earth Glasgow?” I hear you ask. The main reason was practical: we needed to be able to keep working in Scotland, and back then, internet access in the Highlands was barely available. Besides, during our many trips, I had fallen in love with this city which is often overlooked by tourists. Victorian buildings alongside trendy cafés, fascinating museums, beautiful parks with meandering rivers, and—most importantly—the warmth of the locals. People here are friendly and welcoming. You feel at home right away, whether you’re in a pub enjoying live music or browsing through one of the many second-hand shops. There’s a reason the city’s slogan is: People Make Glasgow.
And yet… Through all those years in this grand city, the Highlands kept callin’ me.
A Dream Spot
In October, we make the decision: the city gives way to the Scottish Highlands. During a weekend in our favorite area, we see the perfect cottage for sale. One viewing is all it takes—we are sold, literally and figuratively. We take the leap, make an offer, and not long after, the exciting news arrives: Congratulations, ye’re the new owners!
Our new home lies in the heart of Scotland, in a charming village that, if you love Scotland as much as I do, you might have seen on Instagram. Whitewashed cottages, a 17th-century castle, a lake with crystal-clear water, and a waterfall that rushes through the village. A paradise for hikers and nature lovers, surrounded by Munros (mountains over 914.4 meters) and scattered Celtic ruins. Every season has its own magic: winters with golden slopes and mountaintops dusted like powdered sugar, and summers when the heather paints the landscape royal purple. For me, it is one of the most beautiful and magical places in the world.
A Challenging Crossing
We load the car in the Netherlands to the brim with DIY materials, leaving just enough space on the back seat for Jamie’s dog bed. We drive to IJmuiden to board the DFDS ferry to Newcastle. In advance, I look forward to a relaxed crossing: live music and a drink, a game of bingo (my guilty pleasure—I have never won, but I refuse to give up), and Jamie snoring in the cabin, exhausted from all the day’s impressions.
Reality, however, has other plans. Half an hour after departure, it feels like we are in The Perfect Storm. High waves throw the ship from port to starboard and back again. Glasses slide off tables, waiters rush around to limit the damage, and fellow passengers stumble past with frightened expressions. Meanwhile, Gerard sings along happily with the guitarist troubadour, while my face turns the same shade as the side of the ship.
“Why does this not bother you?” I ask him.
“I just have a fantastic constitution,” he says, grinning. “Bet you wish you had that too, darling?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Oh, so that’s what you think? Well, I don’t believe there’s anything ‘fantastic’ about your constitution. Your inner ear is just broken… darling.”
He laughs at me.
The ship tilts dangerously again. Gerard’s eyes widen, and he dives over the table, barely saving his pint from falling to the ground.
I can’t help but burst into laughter.
After a rough night with little sleep, I’m relieved to set foot on solid ground the next morning. Never have I been prouder of simply making it to the mainland with my stomach contents intact.
Finally, the Key!
The drive to our new home goes much smoother. From the rolling hills of England to the dramatic, snow-covered peaks of the Scottish Highlands, nature welcomes us more and more into its embrace.
Along the way, we stop at the estate agent’s office to collect the keys—a special moment. With the keys in our hands, everything becomes real: we are now officially the owners of a cottage in a village in the mountains.
An hour later, we arrive. Everything is even more beautiful than we remember. We have only visited the house once, and in my mind, the rooms have been shrinking ever since. To our surprise—and delight—our new home turns out to be surprisingly spacious. And the garden… a paradise that needs little work.
Jamie falls in love immediately. As soon as the back door opens, he runs outside. He hops across the grass, stops to thoroughly inspect flowers and bushes, and lifts his leg on everything in sight. It seems like he is saying: This is my garden, but if you behave, I might let you enjoy it too.
The Adventure Begins
This is just the beginning of our adventure. In my next blogs, I’ll share stories about settling into our new village, the move, the renovations, the challenges, and, of course, the little victories that will transform our cottage into a warm and cozy home. The house has character and potential, and we can’t wait to make something beautiful out of it.
Until then, I’m savoring a cup of tea by the fireplace, listening to the river rushing behind our house, breathing in the crisp mountain air, and relishing the knowledge that I have arrived exactly where I’m meant to be.
Natascha Hoiting is a Dutch writer and entrepreneur. She is married to Gerard and the proud owner of wee Jamie. Since 2008, they have had a second home in Scotland, but at the end of 2024, they traded Glasgow for the Scottish Highlands. Her love for this beautiful country is a major inspiration for both her work and her daily life. She is currently working on a series of thrillers set in Scotland and also organizes training programs for Dutch groups under the name SuccesBrein (Success Brain).
