My Scotland: Gabby Logan MBE

A former professional gymnast, Gabby Logan was one of the first female presenters to host mainstream sports fixtures and has since won Sports Presenter of the Year four times. She is also a podcast host, regular columnist and has just been announced as the new face of Match of the Day.

A familiar face to any sports fan, Gabby Logan is one of the industry’s most recognisable figures. Aside from her extraordinarily successful professional life, Gabby is also married to former Scottish rugby player Kenny Logan, and has fond memories of her time spent at Gleneagles, the location for the pair’s nuptials and many happy family holidays since. In 2005 the couple welcomed twins, Reuben and Lois, into their world. Reuben now plays rugby for Scotland, while Lois is an equestrian competitor.

What does Gleneagles mean to you?

“Lots of big beats in our family’s life have happened at Gleneagles – including our wedding and our babies’ first Christmas – and as a result it has such a special place in mine and Kenny’s hearts. Every time we come there’s something new and exciting to enjoy. There are people still at Gleneagles who worked on our wedding, and when we were staying recently we had a barman who remembered our order from our previous stay. It’s not a tiny boutique hotel, but moments like that make you feel like you’re somewhere much cosier and smaller, even though you’ve got all these incredible facilities that are synonymous with a big estate hotel. So to combine those two qualities is a rarity. It’s the height of luxury, but also family and familiarity: you come through the door and you get that feeling of coming home.”

What does Scotland mean to you?

“For me it’s seeing Kenny instantly relax the minute we get over the border. His personality changes – there’s something about being home that just enables him to be more of himself”.

Where are some of your favourite places in Scotland?

“We’ve done road trips right up to the Isles of Harris and Lewis and right across the top of Scotland. When you’re in those places you realise how big the country is and how much there is to see. We love finding tiny places that exist in really remote areas and delight in visiting them because you want to be able to support them, and be able to revisit them. We visited Loch Torridon once, and I was really obsessed with how far it was from everywhere and kept saying to the people who were there, “what if you wanted avocado? What if you, what if you want new shoes? When we’re in Edinburgh for the rugby we love to eat at Kanpai which has a lovely neighbourhood atmosphere and serves wonderful Japanese food.”

How does it feel having your son play for Scotland?

“I was just thinking earlier today whether it’s more nerve-wracking watching Reuben than Kenny, and I think it is. I just want him to do well. If he continues with this career path, it’s gonna be hellish 10 years ahead. I can tell he feels very at home in Edinburgh though, he loves his Scottish roots.”

How would you sum up the Scots?

“Warmth, family and humour.”

What are your favourite things to do in Scotland?

“I love walking. The last time we were at Gleneagles with the kids, the hotel told us about a seven- or eight-mile walk about 20 minutes away that was absolutely beautiful. We always try to find somewhere with some kind of loch along the way because Reuben likes to brave the water and jump in. I like a bit of wild swimming too!”

What are you most looking forward to this year?

“Work-wise, there’s loads going on. I’m just finishing off the men’s Six Nations and the women’s Six Nations. Then I’ve got the women’s Euros, the Women’s Rugby World Cup and then I’m starting Match of the Day. From a personal point of view, I’m looking forward to watching Reuben play for Scotland in the Under-Twenties World Cup and Lois is going to do her first amateur jockey race. She’s a show jumper, but she’s competing at Goodwood as a jockey, so that’ll be fun.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given by a Scot?

Kenny always says, “what’s for you won’t go by you”.

What’s the best Scottish export?

Television: without John Logie Baird I wouldn’t have a job!”