Antiques Roadshow in the Scottish Borders

And I bought a hat specially too! Having experienced the blazing Summer heat the UK is experiencing on past Roadshows, I thought I'd come prepared this time. You can imagine my annoyance when both the Met Office and BBC weather both predicted rain and thundery showers. Well I should have trusted my instincts - not a single drop fell from the blue and sun drenched skies.
I was told by one of Judith Miller's relatives that it's all a fix - the sun always shines in bonny Scotland, and all those rainy soaked shots are just a myth intended to keep everyone out! That may be stretching things just ever so slightly, I think......but the idea is nice.
Our location this time was Abbotsford, the Victorian castle built by poet Walter Scott in the 1820s. The event kicked off with drinks on the lawn and a private tour of the castle and its contents before dinner was served indoors. The library, one of the best in private hands then and now, was a particular highlight. We were staying in nearby Melrose (above), a pretty and well-kept small town with a beautiful abbey and even an antiques centre to keep us entertained before the following day's proceedings.
The Roadshow started bright and early the next day and we were kept busy for the day examining all manner of objects from spinning wheels (wool was important to the area), to fine porcelain, sparkling jewellery, textiles, toys, and more. The weather was as warm as the reception we enjoyed, and everyone went away smiling. The shot shown above shows the day as it began to wind down, at a still balmy 5 o'clock.