A CIVIC WELCOME awaits the return of Moray’s double-gold medallist Heather Stanning when she returns to her family home in Lossiemouth.
Moray Council leaders are already laying plans to welcome the former Gordonstoun pupil in a repeat of the welcome she received in 2012 in Elgin and Lossiemouth when she brought her first gold medal home.
Five years undefeated have brought Heather and rowing partner Helen Glover to the top of the world in their rowing discipline – now the pair are aiming to relax for a while, with Helen set to be married soon.
Lossiemouth and the wider Moray community was buzzing last night following the fantastic victory in Rio, one that Heather said surpassed even the London Gold: “London was a home games and there was nothing more special – but this was defending a title, it means so much.”
Back in Moray arrangements for a warm welcome home are under way with the Convener of Moray Council, Allan Wright, remembering the superb scenes in 2012 and saying: “Straight after the win we were talking about how nice it would be to do it all again.
“We are going to try – it is already under way. I know Heather won’t get another golden postbox at Lossie for this but I think it deserves at least a fresh coat of paint.”
While Heather’s mother was in Rio, dad Tim, who is Treasurer of the Lossiemouth Community Council, watched the race from the home of his son and grandchildren near Mallaig.
Tim said: “I’m extremely proud of Heather and Helen – they have had an outstanding coach for the past four years who has just kept them at it.”