We don’t have to wish we were here. We already are. We should just get out and enjoy it more

How well do we know Scotland? The number of overseas visitors coming here hit a record high last year.

That’s according to a new report by the Office of National Statistics. That’s great to hear. Those foreign visitors aren’t daft.

But are we as switched on, though? I’ve just had my friend Elizabeth over from Australia staying for a week. Her son John Peers was Jamie’s doubles partner for a few years and we became good pals.

We had such a great time exploring; Elizabeth wanted to see a castle, a whisky distillery, a piper and a loch and try those traditional Scottish things that tourists love... like haggis and tablet. It made me realise what a wealth of amazing places we have on our doorstep. And how many of us really make the most of them?

Watching someone else being blown away by our history, scenery and attractions was infectious – a bit like being around kids at Christmas.

On the Royal Mile, we saw a piper and went to Camera Obscura. That’s well worth a visit. It’s described as a “fairground hall of mirrors meets 21st-century tech”. I even learned the origin of “Auld Reekie” there. It’s all to do with the chimneys and the smoke that used to billow out of them and blacken the buildings. I’m ashamed to say I never knew that.

We went to Deanston Distillery, too. It blew me away. It was like going back in time. There are blackboards and chalk, and other supposedly “old fashioned” ways of doing things. And it’s all so simple but efficient.

We visited Fife, too and drove through the fishing villages along the East Neuk after spending a day in St Andrews. Being there, I had to go to the aquarium to check on my “other family”. In 2013 when Andy won Wimbledon, the aquarium named four penguins Andy, Judy, Kim and Shirley

(my mum).

Now Andy the penguin has had two chicks. When I got there I was asked:

“Do you want to see your new grandchildren?” Try to stop me!

Of course, the good weather helped. In the past I think our lack of sunshine has create an exodus of people going abroad on holiday. I hope people will return to having a “staycation” at home. It helps the economy – foreign tourists spent

£2.3 billion in 2017, a rise of 23%. Shouldn’t we follow their lead?

The experience made me realise there’s much more to explore. The ultimate for me is Skye... it’s on my bucket list. I’ll be back in Edinburgh for the Festival and I’m also going to the Pittenweem Arts Festival.

We don’t realise how lucky we are.