I was privileged to run The Burn house, in the Angus glens of Scotland, two hours north of Edinburgh, as only its fourth Bursar, from 2000–9, nigh on ten glorious years. Like my forebears, I too was an army colonel, from a Scottish Infantry Regiment, and it was the most perfect second career.
I fell in love with The Burn house and grounds the moment I drove up the half-mile long drive, thinking ‘I want this chap’s job!’ Then I met the marvellous Ian Fraser, who had run it for 16 years, and was lucky enough to be chosen for the post by the panel consisting of the delightful Earl of Dalhousie, the charismatic General Tim Toyne Sewell and charming Alison Bell, members of the management committee of The Burn.
My wife Jo, my three sons and I had the most fantastic family times there, lucky enough to live within the 18th-century walled garden, in the Garden House built by Hector Harland. My mother-in-law had her 90th birthday party there, we shared our 60th birthday party there, my sons all had countless chums to stay, two of them announced their engagements there, and only recently our first grandchild was born in my last month there. Special memories? Oh, I think so!
The Burn is a unique place, as is Goodenough College, and I liked to think of it as the College’s little bit of heaven in the Highlands, comprising its 200 acres, fabulous river walk along the world famous salmon river the North Esk, and the 20-bedroom, 18th-century mansion house. What makes it so special are the people who work there, those who visit, and its fascinating history.
