I now know why people nickname it Barra-bados!
IKNOW exotic holidays are what stick in many people’s minds, but for me my all-time favourite is a bit different – Barra.
I went there last year to see my aunt and uncle who have a place on Vatersay.
It was a week in May and I saw why it got the nickname Barra-bados. It was absolutely glorious.
The car thermometer was reading 31 degrees one day.
My aunt was always trying to get me there and, having been, I’d go back every single year if I could guarantee any sort of decent weather.
I’ve never experienced peace and quiet like that week.
I’ve been to the Caribbean and to some of the biggest cities in the world, but that holiday was the first time in my life I felt like I’d switched off and totally relaxed.
I couldn’t get a phone signal, so there were no distractions. It was all outdoors, walking hills and even having a dip – knee-high only, it’s still Scotland – in the sea.
There was a lot of history I wasn’t aware of so there was no shortage of things to do and see.
The only thing was I’m sure I could fly to the Caribbean quicker than getting up there by car and ferry.
My childhood favourite was in Scotland, too. That was to Butlins in Ayr.
The funny thing about those holidays was that my dad would drop us off and then leave as it just wasn’t his cup of tea.
If I had to pick my most memorable foreign place it’d be Boston.
I was about 16 and I managed to blag myself on to a business trip my dad was on.
We did the amphibious tour on the river, which gave a great view.
One thing that really sticks in my mind was getting chucked out of the Cheers TV bar!
You’re allowed to buy as much merchandise as you like, but when I went to get a Diet Coke at the bar I was asked to leave as I was too young.