ABOUT ME

I was born and brought up in Scotland before moving to London to train as a buyer for British Airways. When I was living and working for BA in New York, I met my husband Shaun (who is English), and we’ve been married for 21 years. We spent 5.5 years living in Singapore where 3 of our 4 children were born, and then lived in The New Forest in the UK where I ran our award winning gastro pub with rooms, for nearly 10 years, before moving to Dubai. 

WHERE IS HOME?

We have lived in many places and I invest and immerse myself totally to wherever we are, so home for now is Dubai. Spiritually though, home will always be Scotland where my dad, brothers and extended family live.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

I wanted to be a speech therapist, but a turn of events took me on the path into business and commerce and my career in the airline industry, which I absolutely loved, and which gave me a passion for travel.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Moving to Dubai has given me the opportunity to step back from running our business in the UK, which I’ve been managing for the last 5 years. Right now I am concentrating  on being mum to our 4 children who are aged between 10 and 14 😬 I also want to take this time to focus a bit on me, so I’ve taken up golf and I hope to nurture one of my other passions, which is photography.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

Trying out new sports – right now that is padel! We are learning to play as a family and we laugh, run and compete with each other till our belly’s hurt.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

So there is the ideal and the reality. Ideally spending time as a family doing fun and relaxing things, and spending time with friends. The reality – being mum taxi, taking kids to activities, birthday parties, play dates and sports fixtures! A combination of both of the above is totally fine for me!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

Any of the Daniel Craig Bond movies – especially Skyfall.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Poached eggs with avocado on sourdough toast. I could eat it any time of the day!

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Without a doubt Tom Cruise, closely followed by Daniel Craig. 🤣

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

New Zealand.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Scottish tablet – my friend Jill makes the best, but it’s soooo bad for your teeth. 🤣  Or on the rare occasion a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne 🥂

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

To make little boys and girls be kind (er) to each other

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

Waking up every day and seeing the sun shine. How can you not be happy and grateful when the sun is shining? I’m a very social person, I love meeting like-minded people from all over the world and making new friends. Dubai presents so many opportunities to do this.  

As a side note, I just want to say as a trailing spouse and a mum who isn’t working for the first time in a long time, British Mums is brilliant. There are so many opportunities to get you out of the house and meeting people, which can be daunting when you first arrive. I’ve joined the British Mums Book Club and met some amazing ladies. 😊