The long and winding road...

We set off from Ashbourne in glorious sunshine and the promise of a summer day. As we crossed the border into Scotland 3 hours later, rain sheeted across the windscreen and I started to regret my choice of shorts and sandals. "It's atmospheric," said Jason, gesturing at the heather topped hills. By which I understood that it was bleak, cold and unremittingly gloomy.

After a night at the Keating's enormous Scottish home, overlooking Loch Long just north of Glasgow, we all set off on a road trip to the Mull of Kintyre. A three hour journey along the famous 'long and winding road', with stunning views of atmospheric mountains at a place aptly named Rest and Be Thankful, and a coastal drive that could rival the Great Ocean Road.

Three adults and six kids - we grown-ups were seriously outnumbered. The children were excited to run amok in Brian's most recent acquisition, the slightly decaying Royal Hotel on the waterfront at Campbeltown. As the only occupants of the 40 room hotel (due to actually re-open after renovations in 2008), there were plenty of good opportunities for hide and seek.

Dylan developed his golf game at Macrahanish, one of the worlds best links courses. He preferred the putting green, where he could avoid sudden squalls. Then we all walked along the sand dunes that flank Brian's own golf course development.

That night we were entertained lavishly at an amazing manor house overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was filled with antiques and artwork, and (thankfully) the tribe of kids behaved impeccably. Our hostess had thought Brian was joking when he suggested he turn up with all of us, but she managed to put together a fabulous dinner at a moments notice! Driving back to Glasgow through Inverary, we stopped to check out the castle, home of the Argyll family, which was only slightly grander.

Dylan loved Scotland - he seemed to show a real affinity to the accent, the climate and the golf. Perhaps it is the "Douglas" of his middle name emerging. But when I asked him what he liked best about it, he answered "the sweetshop at Campbeltown..."