Grace's World Travels: Celebrating IWD
South Lanarkshire’s very own intrepid traveller Grace Ross looks back on her life and urges young women to see the world and follow their dreams.
Now living in Renaissance Care’s Rosepark Care Home, Grace, aged 80, has travelled well beyond Uddingston in her lifetime. Alongside living in Dubai, Grace has visited New Zealand, Switzerland, the USA and has even trekked the Great Wall of China.
Reflecting on her Scottish roots, Grace said: “I grew up in a tenement block in the Gorbals where I lived until I was 15 years old. I then lived in short stints around Castlemilk, Shawfield, Rutherglen and East Kilbride, so I’m no stranger to South Lanarkshire.
“At 15 years old, I began my career as a secretary for the Lord Provost of Glasgow, where I worked for over a decade. I enjoyed the job tremendously and, for my wedding, Lord Provost John Johnston gifted us a beautiful tea set.
“I met my husband Norman Ross and we married in 1968 before starting our family. My son Euan Ross and daughter Kirsten Ross were born soon after, and then the travelling bug bit. I’ve always wanted to see the world, plus with family overseas, it felt like the right thing.
“We moved to Dubai when I was 33 years old and lived there until I was 40, where I continued my career as a secretary. In this time, we travelled regularly, and I visited Singapore, which was my very favourite place to visit. I’ve also been to Austria, Greece, Turkey and all over Britain too.
“I’m still a very independent lady, and I never had any qualms about travelling. It’s a different time now, and young women unfortunately have to be very careful, but seeing the world is a wonderful thing to do. Being overseas pushes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to try new things and rely on yourself in new places, which is great for building confidence. When I was younger, women didn’t have the same freedom and opportunity, so I would advise young women to make the most of every chance they get to travel.
“I now have three lovely grandchildren, so I’m very happy to be settled in Scotland. I moved to Rosepark Care Home in 2021 which has been its own adventure. The staff are very warm and I get on well with other residents – we share stories of our lives and I look back on my travels fondly.
“I still enjoy a jaunt and have been on a few trips with the care home recently. We’ve visited Callander, Ayr and Loch Lomond, and it’s been a joy to be able to do the things I love with Rosepark. I don’t think I’ll ever lose the adventurous streak in me.”
