Press release -
Barbara's final wish to see Highlands comes true
A German woman with a terminal illness has fulfilled her final wish to see the Highlands.
The 41-year-old, known as Barbara M, has recently returned home to Hamburg after being helped by a number of Highland businesses, as well as staff at the VisitScotland Information Centre in Inverness, to enjoy a fun-filled first visit to the country she used to read about as a child.
Barbara, who suffers from a rare gene defect and has been given just a year to live, was accompanied on the trip by her two children, 21-year-old Fabian and nine-year-old Moritz.
Her trip was organised by the German charity Ein letzter Wunsch (A Last Wish), which helps to fulfill the dying wishes of adults with terminal diseases. Accompanied by Hans-Michael Kay, the charity’s co-founder, and a German television crew, Barbara and her children travelled all the way to Inverness by train via Brussels – some 1,200 miles – for two days before enjoying a boat trip on Loch Ness and watching dolphins at Fortrose.
Barbara said: “When I was a child, about 30 years ago, I used to read various books about the Scottish Highlands – the landscape, the people, the clans and the mysteries. I always wanted to go there to see it with my own eyes. I couldn’t believe when my dream finally came true.”
She continued: “The three days I stayed with my children in Inverness, organised by the foundation with the help of VisitScotland, were brilliant.
“We stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel. We then went to see the dolphins at Fortrose, and in the afternoon we had a marvellous boat tour on Loch Ness. The countryside, the landscape and all the friendly people were overwhelming.
“We visited Brodie Castle, took a train ride to Kyle of Lochalsh and spent a lot of time absorbing as much of the Highlands as possible. The weather was outstanding and I forgot all about my problems. I felt at home and had an unforgettable time.
“My special thanks go to the foundation in Hamburg, to Rosalyn Watson from the VisitScotland Information Centre in Inverness, Cameron Ross from Happy tours, Shona Ferguson from Brodie Castle and to Marcus Atkinson of Cruise Loch Ness. They all helped make my wish come true.
“I will never forget this trip and I am sure that my kids will also remember it, even after I have passed away. They will look at the pictures and the film and I will be with them. I left Scotland with tears in my eyes.”
Scott Armstrong, Regional Director at VisitScotland said: “We were delighted to be able to assist Barbara and her children in making the most out of her very special visit to the Highlands. I am also pleased that, despite the heartbreaking circumstances, she found the region to be even more incredible than she had imagined.”
Barbara’s visit to the Highlands will be broadcast on German television in September.
Ein Letzter Wunch was set up in 2008 by Hans-Michael Kay and his wife Mary-Anne. For more information, go to: www.ein-letzter-wunsch.de
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Year of Food and Drink 2015
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