The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
With her husband Ian, Ruth Macallan owns Carphin House, a stunning 18th Century country mansion situated in 20 acres of beautiful countryside near Luthrie in Fife
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A This genuinely happened to me, out in Zambia. I grabbed my passport and a pot?! At home, however... it would HAVE to be Hugo, my double doodle doggie!
Q Theme song for your life? A Hakuna Matata (well, that’s what I want it to be!). Q Last meal on earth? A Spagbol (veggie version) with, oh, too much parmesan cheese on top.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million? A Double and triple check it was TRUE... then call my mum!
Q What would be your superhero power/name? A Spread my wings and FLY.
Q Quiet night in or big night out?
A Definitely a quiet night in... with a family bag of salt and vinegar squares, a chocolate fondue kit, and a double duvet ALL to myself. Wild.
Q City break or weekend in the country?
A I’m lucky because we live in a stunning area of rural Fife near Luthrie and I’m a big fan of fresh air, dog walks and the occasional bike ride. This is a great area for exploring the great outdoors.
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A David Attenborough, Charles Lagus (Czech photographer), Virginnia McKenna – basically my conservation heros, and Hugh Jackman, just so that Ian, my husband, would definitely join in too.
Q Save it or spend it?
A Spend it... but, notoriously, by giving it to all my Zambian projects I am affiliated to.
Q Home or abroad?
A I love to see new places, visit old friends and be out and about exploring but, having recently moved back to Fife, I’m loving settling in to our new home.
Q Couch potato or fitness fanatic?
A Ian does enough fitness for the two of us. I am a yogi but if I do go for the occasional jog, I feel so smug that I ‘couch it’ for the rest of the day!
Q Rebel rebel or teacher’s pet? A Never expelled! But definitely not considered a teacher’s pet. Q Early or late? A On time! Veering on late but really working on that – it’s the Maltese in me!
Q Cats or dogs? A You need not ask! WOOOOOOOOOFFFFF all the way.
Q What advice would you give to your younger self?
A If you don’t go, you don’t know...but equally fight FOMO, the fear of missing out, to learn what it is you really enjoy.
Hardest thing you have ever had to give up? Crisps. Every year for Lent.
Q Sweet or savoury?
A Savoury, for sure! I could survive quite happily on crisps (kids’ ones like Monster Munch, Space Raiders and Wotsits!). I always try to give them up for Lent, just to prove that my addiction CAN be regulated if needs be!
Q Happiest memory?
A Not so much a happiest memory but I go to sleep thinking of one thing each day that’s made me smile. It’s a little mindful practice I do and it makes me happy every day.
Q Biggest regret? A Not being a vegetarian all my life.
Q What are you proudest of?
A Running into my husband’s arms at the finish line of the London Marathon 2012! Now that was a long jog.
Q If you could turn back the clock what one thing would you change? A My fashion sense aged 11.
Q Where would you rather be right now?
A In the garden. It’s a beautiful day today at Carphin and the views down the valley towards Luthrie are to die for.