My Scotland: David Coulthard
In this month’s My Scotland, David Coulthard, the legendary Formula 1 driver, embarks on a grand tour of his top Scots spots.
Scottish Border
“My favourite drive in Scotland is arriving just across the border to the sign which says, ‘Welcome to Scotland’. One of my most fun trips recently was with my son. As we passed the sign both of us looked over and, in a Braveheart way, shouted “Scotland!” So I always love that feeling. Once I hit the border, I’m 60 minutes from home. I take a left towards Dumfries and then 30 miles later I’m in Twynholm. ”
South West Beaches
“Anywhere along the various south west beaches, they’re exactly the same with my son now as when I was a kid. Get the wellies on and we’re just in rock pools, looking at the crabs. It doesn’t matter if you’re 50 years old or 13 years old, it’s the same enjoyment, appreciating the nature that’s been there, and will be there long after we’re not here. I don’t need to go to Orkney to appreciate Scapa Flow – which is fantastic – when I’ve got all of that nice area and coastline. I like the fact that I grew up by the sea. ”
Edinburgh
“I spent lots of New Years in Edinburgh as a teenager. We went as a family and that was a great experience – prior to street parties where you needed tickets – getting out over the North Bridge, getting to the Tron and bringing in the New Year. It really felt all of the things that Hogmanay gives you. It was just a great place to be as a teenager.”
Twynholm
“I go back more to Scotland now than I have done in the last couple of decades because I’ve got a teenage son and we’ve got a family house just outside of Twynholm, where I grew up. It’s just great to be there with family. It’s different to all of the different places I’ve been in the world. I’ve been lucky enough to go to every continent and many major cities around the world and, I’ll tell you what, there’s still no place like home. ”
Sandgreen
“I remember going to Sandgreen as a child, a nice little sandy beach not far from Kirkcudbright. I just remember being there with my parents, my brother and my sister, and having picnics. If you were lucky, the tide was in and you could go and freeze in the cold water. If you were unlucky, the tide was about a mile out and you would trudge through the muddy sand to try and get your ankles wet! ”
Portpatrick and surrounding area
“My brother has a little boat that was being serviced up in Troon in the summer. With my son, my brother and one of his friends, we picked up the boat and stopped in at Portpatrick for a pub lunch, then continued down to Kirkcudbright on the Solway Firth. We tied up the boat, went on Ailsa Craig and just looked around at where people used to live, and then continued our cruise. It was one of those wonderful experiences that I’d never done before. It’s etched in
my memory.”
