30 years of Arbroath hols .. but I still hate smokies
Jessie loves town but not its famous delicacy
A PENSIONER who has spent 65 holidays in Arbroath has admitted she can’t stand its famous smokies.
Jessie Loftus has headed to the Angus town twice a year for the last three decades after it replaced Peterhead as her favourite place for a break.
The 84-year-old spinster missed her holiday last year after having major heart surgery but will return again in August for her 66th stay and her second of the year.
She will return to the Harbour Nights guest house overlooking the town marina, where she is regarded as an adopted granny by the Adam family, who run the business.
Only child Jessie’s family holidayed up north for 40 years.
She came to Arbroath in 1984 to look after a widower who was a former caretaker of the Motherwell block of flats where she has lived since they were built more than 50 years ago.
She revealed that the town’s residents and its food keep her coming back each June and August.
She said: “I just love Arbroath, it has good people and good fish suppers.
“I’m not so much into Arbroath smokies, but I have fish and chips at least three times a week – and two poached eggs with a slice of brown toast every morning when I am here.” Sunita Adam, who owns Harbour Nights with husband Bill, said: “She stayed in another guest house to begin with, then came to us for holidays.”