German Wild West fanatic loves all things Scottish

Heard the one about the German cowboy who thinks he’s Scottish?

It’s not a joke. Well, not really. It is pretty unusual though.

Jrgen Immesberger is so obsessed with Scotland he goes by the name Jock McGeorge. He also loves the Wild West and attends re-enactment events in Germany.

Except rather than dress as a cowboy, Jrgen who’s from Rottenburg near Stuttgart, a stone’s throw from Germany’s famous River Rhine wears a kilt and plays the role of a Scottish settler.

The busy architect has even roped in his long-suffering wife Sabina. When they’re at re-enactments she goes by the name Heather and dresses in a traditional tartan frock.

Last week, the couple travelled to Scotland’s very own Wild West town, Tranquility, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire.

Tranquility which features a replica saloon, corral and marshal’s office as well as an authentic jail for the local outlaws has featured in numerous articles and TV shows since appearing in The Sunday Post in June.

The town’s founder, former geography teacher Ally Baranowski, said: “Loads of people have been in contact since we were in the paper, so I didn’t think too much of it when I started getting messages from a Jock McGeorge.

“From his use of English I thought he was maybe Scots-Canadian or Australian. The last thing I expected was a tartan-clad, Scots-mad German.”

Grandad Jrgen has had a lifelong passion for Scotland but it was only in 2010 that he first got the chance to visit.

“He’s since returned several times, travelling all over the country from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands.

After spending last weekend at Tranquility as guests of Ally’s posse, The Northern Rough Riders Jrgen and Sabina reckon the latest trip is the best yet. They took part in shoot-outs, re-enactments and Western-style sing-a-longs.

Jrgen said: “I can’t explain my love for Scotland it’s always been there as long as I can remember.

“Perhaps it dates from movies I’d watch as a child, then reading about your history and heroes like William Wallace, Robert The Bruce and Rob Roy.

“When I finally got the chance to visit in 2010 I had a funny, excited feeling in my stomach as we crossed the Border into Coldstream.

“The country is so beautiful, the people so kind. It felt like coming home.”

So why did Jrgen and Sabina Immesberger become Jock and Heather McGeorge?

“Jrgen and George have the same root, so it made sense,” he explained. “Jock and Heather are just lovely Scottish names we like.”

Tranquility will be featured on BBC2’s Landward tonight at 7pm.