Wouldn’t it be lovely to see the old house looking new?

Fiona’s grown accustomed to her place but now it needs a freshen up – and that might not be the only ‘redecoration’ on her to-do list

This is a traditional Scottish abode and so 20 tubs of plain-Jane white arrive from the paint merchants

Remember the caustic line from My Fair Lady: “She’ll redecorate your home from the cellar to the dome”…?

Well the misogynistic Professor Higgins was probably right. We ladies do like to see things looking shipshape.

Last year internal walls were painted at Armstrong MacGregor towers. And now it is time to look at external ones.

Ours is an old stone building – and, in truth, it probably last saw a lick of paint 20 years ago. Blistering and flaking, it is not a pretty sight as you come up the drive.

All that is about to change. But you cannot rush these things, for it is a big job. The chief and I discuss the colour. The mischievous in me thinks of a bright yellow home we saw whilst travelling in Norway. Or even a pillar-box red one.

He meanwhile, is curious about cream. But in the end, we play safe.

For this is a traditional Scottish abode and so 20 tubs of plain-Jane white arrive from the paint merchants.

They are put in the barn, well away from your’s truly. For white paint has uncomfortable memories.

I once walked into a DIY store and was browsing the shelves, minding my own business, when a large can of emulsion rolled off a nearby trolley.

It burst open at my feet. Leaving my boots covered in the stuff.

Of course, the store assistants rushed over. Telling folk to stand back. I am sure they thought I had somehow pulled it down.

Small, useless paper towels were produced. People were watching and pointing. I could have sued, I suppose, but by now I had been recognised as the lady from the telly.

All I wanted to do was to get out of the place. So I told them there was no need to worry and walked shamefully out, trailing white footprints all the way to the car park.

This time the professionals are running the show and they arrive to start the preparation work.

Walls are washed. They are scraped and sterilised whilst a third man fills cracks in the sandstone around the windows.

Safety is still a concern me, for it is a high house and I wonder about the logistics of the operation. But when I ask about scaffolding, shoulders are shrugged. They use long poles and work off ladders. I tell them to be careful and go inside to put tea and biscuits on a tray.

Meanwhile the MacNaughties are in their element. They have three new best friends who seem to have easy access to the biscuit tin.

Come elevenses the doggies are to be found sitting with the painters. My husband, though, is lying low.

For if you remember the first line – “she’ll redecorate your home from the cellar to the dome” – you may recall the next – “then go on to the enthralling job of overhauling you…!”

With a little bit of white paint and some expertise our old house will soon be transformed.