Iain and Elizabeth Miller, from Glasgow, have welcomed in the New Year at the same hotel every year for the past three decades.
And it was no different this winter, despite heavy flooding threatening to derail their plans.
The Millers spent their first Hogmanay at the Cairndow Stagecoach Inn on the shores of Loch Fyne in 1985.
They had such a good time that they decided to come back the next year, and the year after, and on and on.
The family spent so much time there that they grew close to owners Douglas and Cathy Fraser.
The two couples’ children were also of similar ages and became close pals too.
In fact, such was the bond between the two families that Iain and Elizabeth’s daughter Caroline would often spend her summers there.
Over the three decades, the Miller’s children, including son Jonathan, 29, have also brought along friends and partners and are keen to continue the tradition.
Elizabeth, 62, said: “It’s such a friendly place. The family were the same age as us and we got on so well. We got to know the locals and they were lovely too.
“We have so many fond memories from here over the years.”
Iain, 66, and Elizabeth have never missed a Hogmanay at the hotel in the last three decades. During that time they’ve had to drive through fierce blizzards and storms.
This year, their journey was longer and more treacherous as a landslide caused by Storm Frank flooding forced them all to take a diversion at the Rest and Be Thankful.
Elizabeth and Caroline got to the hotel first at 2pm on Hogmanay with Iain, who visited a relative on the way, finally getting there at 6pm.
Caroline, 32, said she wouldn’t miss the annual shindig for the world.
She said: “It’s nice because it’s just one long party.
“It’s lovely having everyone under the same roof.”
Douglas’s father Roddy took on the lease for the hotel in 1965 after a career in the police and bought the business 10 years later.
However, Douglas and Cathy had taken over its running when the Millers first came to stay and have been running it ever since.
They plan to hand over control of the hotel to their own children, Jamie, 28, and Nicola, 31.
However, that won’t stop them meeting up with the Millers.
Douglas said: “Iain and Liz know all the locals. There’s always a good atmosphere at Hogmanay as we double up as the village pub.
“We’ve become friends over the years. We’ve been through to Glasgow to celebrate various family events with them too.”
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