Lynn O’ Rourke: ‘It’s all about travelling - and returning - light

WITH our holiday looming I’m determined to master the art of packing light. With baggage charges what they are, long gone are the days of lugging half your wardrobe and 12 pairs of shoes (just in case) across the Continent, not forgetting bringing 12 bottles of the local wine back.

No more buying decorative cooking pots from Spanish markets (I don’t know why I ever thought that was a good idea), or six-armed candleholders from France (particularly challenging). This year, to the relief of my other half, it is all about travelling – and returning – light. Which should also put an end to all those mismatched olive bowls gathering dust in the garage that looked good in a Mediterranean setting but less so in Scotland.

Last year we took the ferry, which meant packing wasn’t an issue. Everything was piled in the car and we sat on top of it. Pretty similar to the normal situation in our living room. This year we are flying, so I shall be ruthless, and the kids will not be packing their own toys (three Peppa Pigs stowed away last time). I start with the summer clothes we’ve had no use for so far this year, but as the case was filling at a faster rate than I was moving suspicions were aroused. As I left the room, a determined little one entered it with a Peppa stuffed under each arm. First rule of packing light: do not leave open cases and unattended children in the same room, or be prepared to resort to bribery.

This week we get the story behind a newly developed property that wasn’t quite what owner David Welch had in mind. Stylish bridal shop owner Rachel Snedden put her stamp on her West Lothian home, resulting in a fantastic family space, writer and stylist Hannah Read-Baldrey welcomes us into her wonderfully crafted home and finally we look at some of the gardens opening to the public in Crail.